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Where Is Flynn's Arcade In 'Tron'?

Jessie Heyman — 2012-06-29T11:49:00+00:00

July 9 marks the 30th anniversary of "Tron." The movie follows programming prodigy Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who's transfered into the Tron system (a digital universe created by Flynn himself) and forced to compete in various games in order to escape.

Written and directed by Steven Lisberger, the 1982 sci-fi flick, which popularized the world of computer programing and gaming, continued its popularity long after its initial release. In addition to winning an Academy Award for Technical Achievement, "Tron" would go on to become a cult classic, eventually spawning video games, comic books and a sequel (2010's "Tron: Legacy").

While a large portion of the film takes place in technicolor cyberspace, there's one location from "Tron" that you can physically visit: Flynn's Arcade in Culver City, California.

Location as Character: Flynn's Arcade was where all the magic happened: An ultimate arcade/apartment/workspace where Kevin Flynn built the Tron system (and showed off his unbelievable video game skills to its visitors).

Historical Significance: Flynn's Arcade was located at the Hull Building, at 9543 Culver Blvd. in Culver City, California. Built in 1925 by Dr. Foster Hull, a city health officer, the building became Culver City's first hospital.

Fun Fact: The neon "Flynn's" sign, which is featured in the film, is one of the set's surviving props, and is currently stored at Disney Studios.

Directions: By car from Los Angeles International Airport (approximately 9.4 miles): Head south on World Way toward West Way; keep left at the fork and merge onto W Century Blvd; take the I-405 N ramp to Sacramento; keep left at the fork and merge onto I-405 N; take exit 51 for Culver Blvd; turn right onto Culver Blvd; make a U-turn. Destination will be on the right.

Visitor Info: The building is open to the public and as of 2008, houses the restaurant Akasha, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Gallery | 'Tron': Pictures, Posters and Clips

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Top 5 Blu-ray Picks of the Week: 'Taxi Driver,' 'Tron'

Peter Martin — 2011-04-05T08:35:00+00:00

Every week, we sift through all the new Blu-ray releases and single out the "must-see" titles. Look for the column every Monday. This week: Cybill Shepherd makes a man crazy, plus state-of-the-art computer animation (circa 1982).

Our Top 5 Picks for This Week: What to Buy or Rent

1. 'Taxi Driver.' Our pick of the year, so far, with early reviews indicating a top-notch transfer for one of the most powerful films of all time. DVD upgrade. Buy.

2. 'Tron.' OK, all you punk kids, now you can finally see what made all of us older geeks fall crazy in love with lightcycles. And hacking. And Cindy Morgan. DVD upgrade. Buy.

3. 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence.' A science-fiction hybrid -- Kubrick-originated, Spielberg-directed -- that divided audiences and critics; demands a second look. DVD upgrade. Buy.

4. 'The Cove.' An essential documentary that exposes how Japanese fishermen slaughter dolphins. Watch it before expressing your opinion. DVD upgrade. Rent.

5. 'And Justice for All.' An unhinged Al Pacino -- "You're out of order!" -- stars in an underrated legal satire written by Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin, directed by Norman Jewison. DVD upgrade. Rent.

Let's Get Righteously Angry at the Legal System:

'And Justice for All'

If this film is remembered at all nowadays, it's for Al Pacino angrily yelling at a judge, "You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order" Like the film in general, the scene strikes deeper than an out-of-control retort; it's a slap at a judicial system that, by 1979, had become hemmed in by abuse and technicalities. Admittedly, the film is a bit of a mess, yet Pacino is the glue that holds it all together and makes it very much worth a rental.

Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg Share a Dark Vision:

'A.I.: Artificial Intelligence'

Few films have divided audiences and critics so decisively. Of course, we all wonder how this adaptation of a story by Brian W. Aldiss would have turned out had Stanley Kubrick lived to direct it himself. As it is, it stands as the most mature approach to science fiction that Steven Spielberg has ever attempted, shorn of easy audience appeal. It cleared the way for his remake of 'War of the Worlds,' which was three-quarters of a great film. 'A.I.' needs to be seen (again).

Special Feature(s) of the Week:

'Taxi Driver'

If you find yourself watching Martin Scorsese's magnificent 'Taxi Driver' and thinking to yourself, I wonder if that's what life is like for a real taxi driver?, then the special feature 'Taxi Driver Stories' is for you! It is "the most compelling feature" in the new Blu-ray edition, according to DVD Savant, and is "an interview piece with taxi drivers, association reps and a lady official from the Taxi Limousine Commission, who regale us with tales of the exhausting job of driving a hack in New York, and how the job has changed over time."

Two Blu-rays to Skip:

'Little Fockers.' Life is hard and we'd all like a few laughs. Sadly, this movie does not even rise up to the low level of humor established by its 'Fockers' predecessors. This is not the comedy you are looking for, because it is not funny.

'Taxi.' Oy. Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon have no chemistry. Do not be deceived by the presence of Ann Margret and/or supermodels. Also, if you're looking for that movie with Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster, this is not that movie.

Check out all of this week's new DVD and Blu-ray releases.

Latest Blu-ray Release Announcements:

'Brazil.' Terry Gilliam's wonderfully bleak tale of the future is one of the best-realized films of the '80s, at least in the director's cut. Universal is bringing it to Blu-ray, but right now it looks like a bare-bones version (no extras announced), lacking anything featured by Criterion when it issued a DVD edition in the past. Thus, while this is the most notable announcement of the week, it bears a closer watch to see what actually ends up on the disc, and whether it might not be worth waiting a year or more to see if Criterion issues a more deluxe edition.

'Another Year.' 6/7
'Brazil.' 7/12
'Das Boot: The Director's Cut' 6/7
'Gnomeo and Juliet.' 5/24
'I Am Number Four.' 5/24
'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.' 5/13
'The Long Rides.' 6/7
'Red Planet.' 7/27
'The Roommate.' 6/7
'Sanctum.' 6/7
'Sleeping With the Enemy.' 6/28
'Soldier.' 7/27
'The Terror.' 4/26

Blu-rays We've Been Watching This Week: Mysteries by Masters

'The Ghost Writer.' Roman Polanski knows how to construct a mystery, teasing us with hints of the large story that envelops Ewan McGregor as a writer hired by a former (British) Prime Minister to complete his memories. The Blu-ray looks very good, though it's not quite a state-of-the-art presentation; most likely, however, it reflects Polanski's vision, and that's good enough for us.

'Shutter Island.' When we first glimpsed Martin Scorsese's latest, it resembled a ghost story. The film uses some horror movie techniques, but it's more a psychological mystery, with Leonardo DiCaprio fighting to unravel the biggest questions in his life. Watching it on Blu-ray is a mesmerizing experience, with the muted colors and ever-present shadows displayed with incredible precision and detail.

Poll: (Last week's top vote-getter: 'Black Swan' with 32.8 percent. Runners-up: 'The Ten Commandments,' 20.7 percent and 'Tangled,' 13.8 percent).

If you had enough money to buy one Blu-ray this week, what would it be?

What's the "Must Buy" Blu-ray This Week?
'A.I.: Artificial Intelligence'	7 (5.9%)
'And Justice for All'	1 (0.8%)
'Arthur' / 'Arthur 2: On the Rocks'	1 (0.8%)
'Benny & Joon'	1 (0.8%)
'Casino Jack'	1 (0.8%)
'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'	2 (1.7%)
'The Cove'	1 (0.8%)
'Fiddler on the Roof'	5 (4.2%)
'I Love You Philip Morris'	1 (0.8%)
'Much Ado About Nothing'	1 (0.8%)
'Mystic Pizza'	1 (0.8%)
'The People vs. Larry Flynt'	1 (0.8%)
'The Rules of Attraction'	2 (1.7%)
'Taxi Driver'	45 (37.8%)
'Tron'	9 (7.6%)
'Tron: Legacy'	40 (33.6%)

'Tron 3' Viral Video Teases Potential Villain in Next Film

Christopher Campbell — 2011-03-29T13:10:00+00:00

If you were one of those people watching 'TRON: Legacy' wondering what Cillian Murphy was doing there in such a minor, uncredited role, we're getting closer to an official answer. Speculators presumed immediately that Murphy, who appears early on during the ENCOM boardroom scene but is never brought back into the story, was holding his place for 'TRON 3,' for which he'd be the villain.

This makes sense given that he's named as Edward Dillinger, making him the son of the original 'TRON' villain of the same name (played by David Warner), and of course Murphy is often a bad guy these days. Now we get the next hint that Murphy's Junior Dillinger will be back for the next sequel: an Easter egg on the 'TRON: Legacy' Blu-ray (out next Tuesday). The following video features a conversation between the two Dillingers, including a vocal reprisal from Warner:

Or is that really the senior Ed Dillinger? Ed Jr. calls him Dad, but the screen name implies Master Control Program (also Warner), the rogue avatar-like creation of Dillinger's who formerly ruled over the computer mainframe. MCP also would end his conversations with both Dillinger and Sark (his henchman program, also played by Warner), with the words "end of line," just as the chat in this video is concluded.

So, we can surmise that Murphy will return for the next installment, but what about MCP, who seemed to be killed in the first film? We'll have to wait and see. And bad reviews for 'TRON: Legacy' aside, there are surely a lot of us looking forward to another movie. 'Legacy' is every bit as good as it needs to be, and with Murphy more prominent in part three, we imagine that film will be even better.

[via /Film and Geek Tyrant]

Behold the Real-Life 'TRON' House

Eric Larnick — 2011-03-18T19:00:00+00:00

If you're looking to knock Tron Guy off his throne as "world's biggest 'Tron' fan," we know exactly how you can accomplish that mission: visit the TRON house in Milan, Italy.

Disney has teamed up with the DuPont chemical company to design a house made out of Corian, a DuPont-made compound that can be molded into any shape; take a bunch of sleek, minimalist white Corian, wire in some LED lighting and voilà -- they've created a digital pad that would be prime real-estate in the Grid.

What kind of furnishings exist in the TRON home?

Some of TRON house's amenities include a bathroom and "wellness" area (complete with the swankiest hot tub this side of a Kanye West party), a kitchen area you'll be too nervous to eat in and a home-entertainment system, equipped with a 3D Blu-ray player.

Check out a full gallery tour of the TRON house online at crave.
Each room in the house was designed by a different Italian architect, and goes on display from April 12 to the 17, as part of Milan Design Week. If you can't make it over to Milan for a fanboy jaunt, you can probably fashion your own make-shift TRON house with some IKEA furniture and a blacklight -- good luck finding your own Quorra.

'TRON: Uprising' Animated Trailer Debuts

Eric Larnick — 2011-03-03T17:45:00+00:00

If 'TRON: Legacy' wasn't enough for you and you've become so addicted to the adventures of the Grid that you need a weekly fix, you'll be able to feed your hunger in the summer of 2012. That's when Disney premieres the animated prequel 'TRON: Uprising.'

Set between the events of the 1982 original and the 3D holiday blockbuster of 2010, the 10-part 'Uprising' tells the story of Beck, a young computer program who unwittingly finds himself leading a revolution against the evil Clu 2. Along the way, he'll be aided by that hero of heroes, Tron (voiced by Bruce Boxleitner himself!). Plus, we'll also find out how Flynn went into hiding.

If you're already jonesing for more 'Tron,' calm down because we have the first trailer for 'Uprising' behind the cut.

In addition to Boxleitner, 'Uprising' sports an impressive voice cast: Elijah Wood provides the voice of Beck and Lance Henriksen will add his gravel-voiced charm to the part of General Tesler, Clu 2's henchman and archnemesis of Beck. All that, plus Paul Reubens and Reginald "Carl Winslow" VelJohnson too!

'TRON: Uprising' premieres in the summer of 2012 on Disney XD, the action-adventure cable channel geared for boys (and for your "inner boy," if you're over 20).

What are your first thoughts of 'TRON: Uprising'?

Top Ten Movie Scenes People Have Paused the Most

Alison Nastasi — 2011-03-02T19:30:00+00:00

LoveFilm -- Amazon's British version of Netflix -- recently took a poll with their 1.6 million subscribers asking them which scenes in movies do people pause the most. Some of the results are predictable and most of them involve sexy stuff (and Disney). Other movie moments seem more enjoyable in motion versus a still image -- like the stormtrooper clunker which has a great sound accompaniment. Films like 'The Back-Up Plan' are new, but the bare booty scene on the list feels like it would have been more popular in the '90s (confusing).

Check out the top ten list of most-paused movie moments after the jump, and let us know which films deserve inclusion.

The Movie: 'Basic Instinct'
The Moment: Sharon Stone crossing her legs.
Rank: 31%

Ah, 1992 -- those were simpler times. And Michael Douglas was in every psycho-sexual thriller -- including this one directed by Paul Verhoeven -- where Sharon Stone flashes her kitty to a group of detectives hot on her tail. This interrogation scene is the reason why most audiences can forgive Sharshar for the dreadful 'Basic Instinct 2,' and the scary, mile-high bouffant she sported at this year's Oscar's.

The Movie: 'The Back-Up Plan'
The Moment: Jennifer Lopez's naked rear.
Rank: 16%

It's a shame that J-Lo's career has been dominated by her ass, but at the same time, it's made her rich. It's also put treacherous movies like 'The Back-Up Plan' in theaters, which isn't exactly bootylicious.

The Movie: 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope'
The Moment: Stormtrooper bangs his head.
Rank: 15%

A stormtrooper bangs his noggin on the doorframe. A fun coincidence: moments later, the lead stormtrooper instructs the others to "See to him."

The Movie: 'Trading Places'
The Moment: Jamie Lee Curtis flash.
Rank: 8%

Laurie Strode grew up and took off her top.

The Movie: 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'
The Moment: Jessica Rabbit goes commando.
Rank: 6%

Disney has a history of being naughty in their movies. When Jessica Rabbit is thrown from a taxi, her panties supposedly disappear. It's uncertain if this was just a coloring mistake, but the ambiguous scene set everyone's pause finger on overdrive.

The Movie: 'Fight Club'
The Moment: Brad Pitt flashes behind doctor in hospital.
Rank: 5%

It's kind of surprising that this scene won over the "nice, big c**k" in the cigarette burns scene.

The Movie: 'Iron Man 2'
The Moment: Captain America's shield appears on desk.
Rank: 4%

When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) used Captain America's shield to prop up a pipe in his workshop, the Internet exploded. John Favreau explained the reason for the Easter Egg to MTV, "We introduced Captain America's shield briefly in one shot in the last film. An ILM artist put it in there as a joke to us for our cinesync sessions, when we're approving visual effects."

The Movie: 'The Lion King'
The Moment: Dust spells out "SEX."
Rank: 3%

Disney's raunchy rep wins two spots on the list. The animation team at the Mickey Mouse empire has stated that the letters actually spell "SFX," which was meant as a harmless gag by the special effects team.

The Movie: 'Tron'
The Moment: Pacman Cameo
Rank: 2%

How do you know that you've made a movie for nerds and nerds alone? A Pacman cameo ranks more pausable than any scene with Olivia Wilde in a sexy, skin-tight, latex costume.

The Movie: 'Eyes Wide Shut'
The Moment: Nicole Kidman rear-end flash.
Rank: 1%

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman -- that happened. They were naked in Stanley Kubrick's last film, a lot. Nicole Kidman's 'Rabbit Hole' deserves more screentime (sorry).

Other
Rank: 9%

Mystery! Intrigue!

[Hat Tip: Slashfilm]

Your Call: Should They Make a 'TRON: Legacy' Sequel?

Erik Davis — 2011-01-13T09:20:00+00:00

After spending a tremendous amount of money reviving 'TRON' and turning it into a new franchise, apparently Disney does not want to give up on it yet, despite the fact that 'TRON: Legacy' didn't exactly land in theaters with a "Wow!" but more of a "Okay, that was kinda cool, I guess." AICN claims the studio is "incredibly close" to announcing a sequel to 'Legacy,' which, despite the mixed reception, is still about to cross the $300 million mark in worldwide box office grosses.

As a brand, it makes sense. If 'TRON: Legacy' did anything right, it introduced a whole new audience to a very fun and unique world to play around in. Like George Lucas did with 'Star Wars,' Disney plans to launch an animated TV show called 'TRON: Uprising', which will star Elijah Wood and arrive in 2012 in order to keep the brand alive and kicking till we get to the next film, which, if announced soon, will probably arrive in 2013 or 2014.

Our question to you: Does this new updated version of 'TRON' have enough legs to become Disney's next big live-action franchise? What would they need to do with the sequel in order to hold your attention and turn you into a devoted fan? Better story? Better 3D? Better acting? Sound off below ...

View Poll

'Tron: Legacy' Director Joe Kosinski on Creating a Computer World

Todd Gilchrist — 2010-12-17T17:05:00+00:00

Few filmmakers are aware that they're making history when they start working on a new project, it's forgivable if Steven Lisberger already had a clue (no pun intended) about his film's impact when he incorporated computer-generated images into the narrative of 1982's 'Tron.' 28 years later and thousands of effects-driven films later, Disney is reviving Lisberger's ideas for 'Tron: Legacy,' and putting another would-be ground-breaker at the helm: Joe Kosinski, a first-time director who made a name for himself in not just the commercial, but architectural (!) worlds. The film opens on December 17, and after an arduous and unique production, Kosinski is at long last staring at the end of the film's two and a half year journey to completion - to say nothing of the actual legacy that the film will go on to enjoy.

Cinematical recently sat down with Kosinski at the Los Angeles press day for 'Tron: Legacy.' In addition to talking about the film's inspirational debut at Comic-Con three years ago and its serpentine, singular development process, Kosinski revealed the lessons learned while working on the film, and hinted at how soon we might hear what's next for him as a director.

One of the things you have talked about is the importance of the proof-of-concept clip you produced for Comic-Con. How much do you think that sort of reintroduction to audiences is or can be an accurate barometer for its larger commercial success?

Joe Kosinski: I don't know. I think people are still trying to figure that out. I mean, there are cases where, like, 'District 9,' which played really well at Comic-Con. That translated; that's just a great film that did very well. But there are some cases of movies that played very big at Comic-Con that for whatever reason haven't caught on, maybe that are a little too narrowly focused. So I don't think the success of non-success of anything at Comic-Con is a sure anything. But I think I'd rather have a movies that plays well there than doesn't, and so far at the past couple of Comic-Cons, the crowd has been really receptive to the stuff we've shown. So we'll see if it translates to anything beyond that.

Did that demonstrate anything to you as you started to work on the movie?

Kosinski: You mean the reaction at Comic-Con? It just solidified stuff to me that I already knew. I mean, at that first Comic-Con where I showed that VFX test kind of unannounced, the first time that Jeff Bridges appeared on the screen, people erupted into applause, and that just affirmed to me how right the decision was to bring him back. Because it's hard to imagine this movie without him at the center; you need something grounding, in the same way that Obi Wan in 'Star Wars,' there was his great actor at the middle of the film that when he spoke, you believed everything he said. Jeff is kind of that character for us, and then we were lucky enough to have him play two characters, this interesting different character of Clu, and then watching him play against himself, you start to appreciate just how talented he is and how watchable he is and how good he is. So the Jeff Bridges of it all was people love him and I'm glad he was in the movie.

The opening scenes of the movie in the real world have a grid-like, geometric feel. Was there any sort of intentional effort - or you can take credit for it now - to make a visual transition from the first film to the second, or the angularity of the real world to the contours of the computer world?

Kosinski: Yeah, definitely. There was this really cool stuff that Steven [Lisberger] did in the first movie where he drew a parallel between the lights of the grid and the lights of the city, so that really kind of inspired that opening sequence where you see the two lines of light start battling like a light cycle grid and start to form a virtual city. I also saw it as an opportunity to kind of take us from the '80s up to 2010 in one shot. So there was definitely some inspiration in the opening, in the tilt up to the logo, and spinning through the logo, because that's all elements of the original 'Tron' sequence. But just the way I shot the film, with the way Encom Tower and that whole break-in sequence [looks], I wanted to put people in the mindset of the grid; I wanted to start to establish the way that this movie is going to look and feel from the start. So I'm glad you caught onto that.

Since the project was announced, there's been a lot of discussion of your pedigree with visuals and architecture. What sort of lessons did you learn through making this in terms of combining your expertise with maybe the more emotional aspects of the characters and story?

Kosinski: For me, the writing of the script, the development of the characters, the working with the actors for me was the most creatively exciting part of the process, because you don't get that opportunity in the world of commercials or short films to really dive into characters like you do in a film. So for me that was the most exciting part of the process, and getting to do that with an actor like Jeff Bridges or Michael Sheen, these guys who have made lots of movies, I learned so much from them just by working with them. So for me that was my favorite part of the process, and unfortunately, the reality of directing a movie like this is that's one percent of the process now. You spend so much time pitching the movie, selling the movie, getting the movie greenlit and doing the production design that shooting the movie with actors is just one tiny sliver of it. That being said, it's almost the most important part of the job, but I just wish there was more of it in a movie like this.

How difficult was it to facilitate a sense of pure imagination with the actors? They're working in an environment with few props and maybe not even a camera.

Kosinski: Well, that's the job of the director. Obviously I tried to build as many sets as possible, so for those scenes at the safe house, the End of Line club, I wanted to build as much as possible so they didn't have to imagine there - they could see it. And I think it pays off in those dramatic scenes to have real sets. But yeah, when you get into scenes where you couldn't possibly build what you want to see, whether it's the disc game or the light cycles or the rectifier; I mean, these are not spaces that can be physically built, so you have to go to a more digital method. And for those, it's the job of the director to provide as much information to the actors as possible, whether it's storyboards, pre-vis, concept art, music, rehearsals; I did everything I could so that by the time we got onto set that day, Jeff knew in his mind when he gave that Clu speech, in his mind he saw the thousand troops, and he saw the rectifier around him, because I had laid it out for him. But good actors, they have great imaginations, and in his mind he was there giving that speech - and you feel it when Clu gives that speech. You feel the passion, and it was fun to watch, to see him really go for it.

How difficult or easy was it to have firmly defined rules about the logistics and technology of the world, but also to incorporate the ideas and spirituality into the film as a whole?

Kosinski: This wasn't one of those projects where there was a script and I got to sit down to read it and then build off of it. I mean, there was no script; when we built that VFX test, there was no script. We built the test first, which was supposed to get the look, feel, tone of the world, put Jeff in it, and hint at this narrative of this diametric opposition of these two characters. But once the fans ignited and Disney saw this potential, we had to get down and write it, and it was a very collaborative process between Sean Bailey, myself, Justin Springer, and the writers. It was an intense, yearlong process of building the script along with the visuals, along with Jeff's input and his interests, and building this whole world together. Along with the score; I mean, it was a really unique process. It didn't start with a script. Everything was built together, and it was kind of a crazy process, but it affords some opportunities that you wouldn't have in a normal process, and for a movie like 'Tron,' it makes a lot of sense. What writer is going to go down and write this movie in the way it ended up? It really has to be done in conjunction with the visuals.

Was there a core set of rules, even if it was just internally?

Kosinksi: Yeah, I think from the start, the guys knew I wasn't interested in any sort of internet movie, and I wasn't interested in technospeak or references to the internet or technology. I didn't want something that was going to be dated a year later. I told them I wanted it to be like a western once we got inside; I didn't want there to be teleportation or phone calls or radios. It had to be physical once you got inside. So once we established that grounded rule set, then we started figuring out how do we tell this father-son story in the most interesting way possible.

While this was being made there were a lot of discussions about what your next project would be. But at what point have you been able to think about what that actually would be?

Kosinski: You know, the main focus has been just getting this done. I have been able to get just into development a couple of projects, which are being written right now - they're in the script stages. So once we get this movie out there and take some time off at Christmas, maybe next year we'll start to figure out what's next.

Jeff Bridges: His 10 Best Roles, from President to Alien

Jason Newman — 2010-12-17T15:00:00+00:00

If anyone was due for an Academy Award for Best Actor last year, it was the perpetually underrated Jeff Bridges, an actor who has spent 40 years playing everyone from presidents to bums with an intensity that is rarely flashy but always memorable.

The son of famed actor Lloyd Bridges, the actor got his first credit as an infant in 1950's 'The Company She Keeps,' and since the early 1970s has displayed an unparalleled versatility. Bridges is one of Hollywood's few A-list actors to successfully divorce the terms "actor" and "celebrity," which may explain why his immense body of work has flown so under the radar for so long (it took him nearly 60 films to win that Oscar, for 2009's 'Crazy Heart'). Yet you can always count on Bridges to deliver noteworthy performances, even in mediocre movies ('Against All Odds,' 'Tideland,' 'Stay Hungry.')

This month sees Bridges star in two of the year's most anticipated films: 'TRON: Legacy,' in which Bridges reprises his role from the original 1982 film, and 'True Grit,' the Coen Brothers' remake of Henry Hathaway's classic 1969 western of the same name. To honor Hollywood's most underrated actor, we've put together a list of Bridges' ten best roles -- but, yeah, well, you know, it's just, like, our opinion, man.

[Please note: Some of these clips are NSFW.]

10. Kevin Flynn, 'Tron' (1982)
It may not have been the smash Disney was expecting when it was first released, but in retrospect, this video-game-disguised-as-a-movie stands as a paramount example of 1980s flash and computer graphics. Bridges plays Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who gets sucked into the world he's creating. With its groundbreaking graphics and fusion of technology and the real world, it's easy to see the influence the film had on 'The Matrix,' 'Total Recall,' and the entire Pixar catalog (among many others). Shockingly, 'Tron' didn't even get a nomination for Best Special Effects because the Academy said using computers was "cheating." Prescient brilliance, guys.

9. Lightfoot, 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' (1974)
Michael Cimino's directorial debut remains an underrated effort by both Bridges and co-star Clint Eastwood (who reportedly was so impressed with Bridges that he felt his co-star upstaged him). Eastwood plays a retired thief who teams up with Bridges to recover money from one of the former's old robberies. Eastwood got most of the attention for steering away from the westerns and tough-cop films that made him an icon, but Bridges would earn his second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in this heist film-cum-road movie.

8. President Jackson Evans, 'The Contender' (2000)
Joan Allen deservedly got most of the notice for this political thriller about the vetting of a female vice-presidential pick, but as President Jackson Evans, Bridges conjures up the perfect mix of diplomacy and merciless guile. The role of commander-in-chief is usually played with stodgy gravitas, but Bridges infuses Evans with warmth and geniality, a deft counterpart to the snakes on both sides of the aisle that surround him. His rousing speech to Congress doubtless helped lock up his fourth Oscar nomination.

(Warning: video contains spoiler and some rough audio/video syncing.)

7. Michael Faraday, 'Arlington Road' (1999)
Woody Allen once said "Paranoia is knowing all the facts," an apt quote for this film in which Bridges plays a widowed college professor whose wife, a FBI agent, is killed by right-wing extremists. When Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack move in as the seemingly friendly neighbors, Bridges begins to suspect something's not right with their behavior and subsequently believes they are part of a terrorist plot. The film itself divided critics, but Bridges and Robbins continually make you question who the real villain is until the very end.

6. Barney Cousins, 'The Vanishing' (1993)
George Sluizer's original 1988 Dutch film of the same name is the better movie, thanks largely to its un-Hollywood ending. But casting Bridges as sociopathic kidnapper Cousins in this remake was the filmmaker's best move. It's three years after Sandra Bullock disappeared and boyfriend Kiefer Sutherland still hasn't come to terms with the loss. When Bridges arrives without warning to confess, he offers Sutherland a choice: Kill him and never find out what happened or endure everything she went through. Bridges plays Barney just normal enough to be terrifying and the scariest role in his career remains one of his best.

5. Starman, 'Starman' (1984)
Bridges would earn his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his part in John Carpenter's sci-fi romance about an alien that falls to Earth and assumes the identity of his discoverer's deceased husband. Carpenter's mix of geeked-out interstellar travel discussions, pioneering special effects and interspecies love between Bridges (in a role that originally went to Kevin Bacon) and Karen Allen made this one of 1984's most interesting and acclaimed films.

4. Duane Jackson, 'The Last Picture Show' (1971)
Bridges was only 22 when he landed his first lead role, playing Duane Jackson in Peter Bogdanovich's landmark film about the lives that intersect in a small, dreary Texas town in the 1950s. The closing of a local movie theater -- Howard Hawks' classic 'Red River' is to be the film -- sets the backdrop for Bogdanovich's nostalgic tribute to Hollywood's Golden Age, and the director's minimalist style earned the film eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Bogdanovich thought Bridges' outgoing personality would temper Duane, a surly, disagreeable character in the Larry McMurtry book on which the film was based. He was right. Bridges earned his nomination for an Academy Award, in the Best Supporting Actor category.

3. Jack Lucas, 'The Fisher King' (1991)
Terry Gilliam's most heartfelt film sees Bridges as Jack Lucas, an angry, disillusioned shock jock prone to invective and tirades. When Lucas unwittingly inspires one of his listeners to go on a murderous spree, the deejay devolves into a years-long depression heading toward suicide. A despondent Jack meets Parry (Robin Williams), an eccentric homeless man who tells Jack great things are coming if he can find the Holy Grail buried somewhere in Manhattan. Gilliam's normal sense of absurdity and whimsy is augmented with emotional performances by Bridges, Williams and Mercedes Ruehl. And while Williams and Ruehl got an Oscar nomination and win, respectively, Bridges nails Jack's egotistical, self-loathing, and eventual redemptive qualities.

2. Otis "Bad" Blake, 'Crazy Heart' (2009)
As Hollywood likes to say, 2009 was Bridges' "time" to finally snag an Oscar for Best Actor, though that hardly diminishes the brute honesty and emotional resilience he displayed as aging, itinerant country singer Otis "Bad" Blake. What was originally a direct-to-video release shot in three weeks became a surprise hit and critical success. The story of an outlaw creative type who attempts to redeem himself and correct bad life decisions is an old one, but Bridges' mix of surliness and charisma -- one hand offering you a beer, the other slamming the door -- is a blunt, mesmerizing performance. Oh, and the man can sing.

1. Jeff Lebowski, 'The Big Lebowski' (1998)
'Crazy Heart' got him all the awards, but 100 years from now, when Jackson Evans, Barney Cousins and even Bad Blake have faded from public consciousness, The Dude will still abide. In Jeff Lebowski, we see the flipside of what many of us might become -- or wish to -- if convention, family, mortgages, 401(k)s, children and life didn't get in the way. Carrying on the tradition of Captain America in 'Easy Rider' and Kowalski in 'Vanishing Point,' Lebowski is both a hero and bum, and in his insouciance toward everything except rugs and bowling, Bridges embodies all that is right and wrong about hippie culture. His attitude -- a wry, sardonic take on the best-selling book 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff' -- continues to resonate with legions of devoted followers. Now where's the sequel?

Honorable mentions: 'Fabulous Baker Boys,' 'Fat City,' 'Tucker: The Man and His Dream,' 'Iron Man,' 'Door in the Floor,' and 'Fearless.'

King of Tron: The Tournament to Crown the 1982 Arcade Game's Best Player

Moviefone Staff — 2010-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

Classic video game luminaries from around the country -- and Moviefone -- gathered at Richie Knucklez Arcade Games in Flemington, NJ, this past weekend for an awesome event: The Tron-Off.

In advance of 'TRON: Legacy,' three arcade studs were competing in a contest on the 1982 game Tron. The competitors were Florida resident David Cruz (whose 7,148,220 points going into the event was recognized as the world-record score), New Hampshire programmer Donald Hayes (whose 4,580,031 points was the second-highest score), and Mark Sellers (a self-described Tron "underdog" and bar owner from Grand Rapids, MI). This trio went head-to-head in a 14-hour tournament emceed by gaming legend Billy Mitchell.

We proudly present our mini-documentary about the event -- 'King of Tron.' Watch the short film to find out who won, and whether a new world record on Tron was set.

King of Tron: The Tournament to Crown the 1982 Arcade Game's Best Player

'Tron: Legacy' Star Jeff Bridges Offers Master-Class Acting Advice

Todd Gilchrist — 2010-12-16T12:15:00+00:00

It's easy to think that within the confines of a tentpole would-be blockbuster, the actors have little more to do than show up, look good, and hit their marks. But Jeff Bridges seems to approach every role the same way, whether he's belly-up in a bathtub in 'The Big Lebowski,' chasing down damsels in distress in 'King Kong,' or returning to a role he played almost 30 years ago to reinvent a plucky computer programmer as a silicon valley hippie in 'Tron: Legacy.' And while that approach might seem spectacularly intuitive, especially given his consistently natural presence on screen, Bridges confesses that it's a lot more formal than it looks, and it's helped him last in a business that doesn't offer a whole lot of longevity.

It was last July in San Diego when Cinematical sat down with Jeff Bridges at Comic-Con to discuss 'Tron: Legacy,' his long-anticipated follow-up to the 1982 sci-fi groundbreaker. In addition to talking about the task of reviving a character after what is arguably the longest hiatus between installments in film history, he explained the process by which he works on each new acting challenge he tackles, and offered a few anecdotes about the lessons he learned as he developed his craft and eventually became one of the industry's most well-respected performers.

I think this is the longest period of time between one film and its sequel, but a close runner-up has got to be 'Texasville' happening after 'The Last Picture Show.'

Yeah! Isn't that something?

Have you ever felt like you left behind characters before you were done exploring them, or do you consider your experience finished once shooting a film has finished?

Well, in those two films that you mention, I wasn't really thinking of sequels on either one of those films. I never imagined that, but I felt pretty complete at the end of both of those.

But have you finished with other films and felt like there were ideas that you would have liked to explore with your characters?

No, I don't have that experience. In most of them, I feel like I've done it, basically, as much as I am going to.

Where does your preparation start for each role you take on?

Bridges: Well, I guess what comes to mind when you ask that question is where it started in 'Tron' how I prepared, and then in my general preparation, and then I go back to when I was a kid learning about it, so I'll talk about that a little bit. My father, Lloyd Bridges, was my teacher, and unlike a lot of actors, my father was so gung ho about turning his kids on to this profession that he loves so much. I was carried on when I was six months old to a movie where he was visiting the set, and I don't know - you're probably too young to remember 'Sea Hunt,' but whenever there was a young kid part for that, he would ask me, "do you want to do this? Do you want to come to work with dad?" I would say "nah," and he said, "come on! You get to get out of school, man, and you'll get some money to buy toys."

So I said okay, and then he would sit me on his bed and teach me all of the basics of acting, about making it seem like it's happening for the first time. He would say, "okay, go out of the room and come back, and do it completely different - like you've never said this before." And "don't just wait for me to stop what I'm saying. Listen to what I'm saying." All of these basics.

And then my mother would also teach me about things; they were both students of Michael Chekhov, so I remember one of the things my mom talking about was ways of looking at a scene, and one way would be to make it as real as possible - as if it was you. As if you were in that character's position. So then you work on the scene that way, and then the other way is to say, okay, now work on it thinking of how the character is different from you, and what you might accentuate in the character at different levels. And then the third way is almost in an architectural way, like, what is the function of this scene in telling this whole story, and what is your function as the character you are playing in that scene?

Getting back to your question - this is kind of a roundabout way, but as far as prepping for 'Tron' or other movies, I go through all of those basics. You get back to the basics: the story that you're telling is the most important, so I look at this scene and see what's the function of this scene in telling the whole story, what is my character supposed to be doing in this scene, and I just approach it that way. So I approach all movies in that similar fashion, whether they're comedies or dramas or science fiction or anything, basically it's the same. A long answer, sorry.

Not at all! Does the fact that Flynn is sort of withdrawn from the modern world make it easier to create his personality for this film, or did you have to sort of reverse-engineer his personality between 2010 and the original 'Tron?'

Yeah, there was some of that, and that was in the script a lot. We talked about that - we talked about that with the director [Joseph Kosinski], with [Steven] Lisberger, who was very much involved in this, who was the original writer and director. So that was something we were looking at - speech patterns, phrases that he might have used, and the general energy of who that guy was, and then, you know, letting him age, that character age, and what that character would be like.

As you get older, does that process become easier to let go of - to construct the character in your head and then just be in the moment when you're on set?

Well, you do all of your homework and you're thinking about it, and I try to be as prepared as I can. Different actors approach it different ways. I like to learn my lines so I'm not thinking about them; they're just in my brain and they'll pop out when the time is right, and then like you say, when you get there on the day, it's often completely different. The other actor might not be saying it the way you imagined he would deliver his lines, or it was supposed to be a sunny day and now it's raining, and so all of those differences. There's an impulse because you want to perform, you want to rise to the occasion and do your best work, there's an impulse that surfaces that you're like, "oh, shit - that's not how I imagined it," and you feel the resentment kind of bubble up, and there's nothing like resentment to kill your buzz - and to make you feel good and relax.

So when you feel that, when I feel that, I notice it and say, oh, get with the program, man! Don't try to muscle it to be how you imagine it. Get a little yin in here, man, and take it because those are like directions from God; they're little mistakes and things that are different, and those are real gifts that are going to take you off your game plan, which is kind of what you want, because you want to be fresh, and my method, I put a lot of faith in the director and look to him to take me past my conceptions, so I will most often hold his opinion of the way it should be over my own. I try not to get too locked into my own opinion.

Do you have to think about whether or not the character or his behavior is resonating within the story, or is that purely the director's responsibility?

It's mostly relying on the director. I do my stuff, and then the director is in charge of how it's all put together. I remember one of my early acting lessons that I learned was on my first movie, it was called 'Halls of Anger,' and I was playing a white kid who was being bussed into a black school, and the kid was trying to integrate and stuff, and the black kids kept beating me up. So this is kind of like the climax of the scene and Calvin Lockhart was playing the vice principal at this black school, and I came to him because I'd just been beaten up by these guys, and he was trying to say, "you've got to go back and keep trying," and I would get very emotional and cry and say, "no, I've had it," and it would be a big emotional scene.

I happened to be going through my first deep love affair, and my heart had been broken, and I was able to kind of use that pain to do an acting judo or whatever and make it work for the scene. They shot all of the coverage first, and they came to me and I was able to bring it up like it was happening for the first time. I was like, f**k, man, I'm good at this! That was hard to do! I'm so proud.

Now we cut to the premiere of this movie and it's in Watts and it's kind of a sea of black people and my family is sitting, my father on one side of me and my brother on the other side. I'm sitting there saying, wait until you see this scene, because in my head I'm excited, and now here comes this scene, and the director's choice was to have it all on Calvin Lockhart's face, and it finally cuts to me at the height of my emotion, my face is [apoplectic distorted] and the whole audience bursts out laughing. And I about shit, man. I thought, it had the opposite reaction that I had imagined from the audience, and so the lesson or the choice there was, so what are you going to do about this? Are you going to protect yourself and not go there, or how do you do it? You hear some actors say, 'I'm not even going to give them that choice'.

And I decided that, no, you've got to be willing to be the fool; you've got to be willing to just be totally misunderstood, and just give it up. And that's kind of what I do: you give it up to the director that he's going to take you past yourself, and every once in a while it's better than you ever imagined. But that's kind of a rare thing, when that happens and they put it all together and you say, 'God, I thought that felt good while we were doing it, but that's even better'.

'Tron' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Eric Larnick — 2010-12-16T10:30:00+00:00

Other than Homer Simpson, did anyone see the 1982 movie 'Tron'?

The Disney film that also spawned a popular arcade game was a revolutionary new adventure in digital effects, telling a tale of rebellion set within the computer world. Jeff Bridges starred as the awe-struck human sucked into a fantastic digital landscape filled with Light Cycles and identity discs.

The film became a cult hit, inspiring a passionate and devoted fanbase that kept it alive for over two decades. With the release of this Friday's sequel, 'TRON: Legacy,' a whole new generation of fans will be exposed to the continuously-innovating technological adventure.

For all those viewers that discovered the original hit on VHS over the years and want to know what happened between then and now, here is our update on the whereabouts of the cast and crew of 'Tron.'

Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn/Clu)
Then: Son of Hollywood star Lloyd Bridges, Jeff was already a big deal when 'Tron' came along. In 1971, he was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in 'The Last Picture Show,' then again in 1974 for 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.' He also starred in 1976's big budget remake of 'King Kong.' In 'Tron,' he plays Kevin Flynn, the genius video game designer whose ideas are stolen by Ed Dillinger (David Warner). While trying to gather evidence against Dillinger, the Master Control Program uses an experimental laser to digitize Flynn and sends him inside the computer system, beginning his adventure inside "the Grid" (where he is also trapped in the sequel).
Now: After 'Tron,' Bridges' success continued to grow and grow. He appeared in hit films such as 'Against All Odds,' 'Starman,' 'The Fabulous Baker Boys,' 'The Fisher King,' 'Arlington Road,' 'Seabiscuit' and 'Iron Man.' He finally won the Oscar for Best Actor last year with this performance as a faded country-music star in 'Crazy Heart.' He's an avid published photographer, co-founded the End Hunger Network in addition to other humanitarian efforts, studied Buddhism and is a practitioner of Zen meditation. He returns as Flynn in 'TRON: Legacy,' opening this Friday, and then next week he'll appear in the critically acclaimed 'True Grit' -- meaning you can get a double dose of Bridges this Christmas, if you're nice. Oh, yeah, and he's also the Dude.

Bruce Boxleitner (Alan Bradley/Tron)
Then: Boxleitner first got attention as the star of TV's 'How the West Was Won, a spin-off of the classic film epic. But then came 'Tron,' where he starred as the titular sentient security program and a video game warrior who rebels against the MCP. Tron teams up with the digitized Flynn to save the ENCOM system. This occurs even though Flynn, in real life, does not get along with Tron look-alike Alan Bradley, as Bradley is now dating the love of Flynn's life, Lora (Cindy Morgan).
Now: If there's a TV show, Boxleitner's probably been on it: 'Mary Tyler Moore,' 'Tales from the Crypt,' 'Outer Limits,' 'Touched By An Angel' -- the list goes on, all the way up to a November guest spot on 'NCIS.' If that wasn't enough, '80s fans remember him as Lee Stetson on the hit romantic-spy caper 'The Scarecrow and Mrs. King' (he was Scarecrow, in case you were confused). 'Tron' isn't Boxleitner's only sci-fi cred, as he also starred as John Sheridan, commander of the space station in 'Babylon 5.' He has also written two sci-fi-western mash-up novels, and is a member of the Board of Governors for the National Space Society, a nonprofit organization advocating space education. He has stayed close to 'Tron,' voicing the character in the sequel video games, and to top it off, he'll bring the Alan Bradley character back with the release of 'TRON: Legacy.'

Cindy Morgan (Lora/Yori)
Then: Morgan started out as a radio DJ in the Chicago area. After a pit stop into commercials -- she was the first Irish Spring girl -- she moved on to movies. For a generation of young men, she will always be remembered as the devilish rich girl Lacey Underall from the 1980 classic 'Caddyshack.' Then she appeared in 'Tron' as Lora, Flynn's ex-girlfriend. Her computer counterpart Yori is Tron's lover, but it's Flynn who gets to introduce her to the idea of "kissing."
Now: After becoming the object of affection to a generation of slobs and nerds, Morgan continued to act in movies. She also re-teamed with Bruce Boxleitner on the short-lived adventure show 'Bring 'Em Back Alive.' Morgan is also a fan-friendly performer, having done voicework for the 'Tron 2.0' computer game and organized the Caddyshack Reunion Golf Tournament in 2006, which raised money for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

(Read our interview with Morgan from this summer.)

David Warner (Ed Dillinger/Sark/Voice of Master Control Program)
Then: Warner got his start as a Shakespeare-trained actor in his native England, performing all over the country, including the role of Hamlet. He moved to film, taking on a series of memorable roles, such as the part of Ken Jennings, the photojournalist who literally loses his head in 'The Omen,' and the disturbed Henry Niles in the controversial 'Straw Dogs.' 'Tron' fans know him as the villainous Dillinger, the corporate raider who develops the Master Control Program, a bit of code that becomes sentient and begins ruling over all other computer programs. Within the system, Warner's avatar is Sark, a snide henchman to the MCP.
Now: Warner had a memorable performance as Jack the Ripper in 'Time After Time' -- a performance that was so well-regarded, it almost earned him the part of Freddy Krueger (a scheduling conflict got in the way). He continued to appear in horror movies and take on villainous roles, before developing a second career as an in-demand voice actor for cartoons such as 'Batman,' 'Spider-Man,' 'Freakazoid' and a series of computer games. In recent years, he has returned to his Shakespeare roots with a series of performances in Great Britain.

Barnard Hughes (Dr. Walter Gibbs/Dumont)
Then: In 1978, Hughes won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his performance in the show 'Da' -- a role he reprised for the big screen in 1988. In addition to the Tony, he won an Emmy that year for his guest appearance on 'Lou Grant.' Additionally, he appeared on soap operas and in movies like 'Oh God!' and 'Midnight Cowboy,' before taking on the part of Walter Gibbs, the co-founder of the ENCOM Computer Corporation. When Gibbs is pushed out of control by the dastardly Dillinger, he re-appears within the system as his computer avatar Dumont.
Now: A legendary stage actor, Hughes appeared in over 400 theatrical productions. He continued to act in theater, television and film -- with a memorable turn as "Grandpa" in the 'The Lost Boys.' In 2006, Hughes passed away at the age of 90; he is survived by his wife of 50 years and two children, who continue his work in the world of theater.

Dan Shor (Ram)
Then: A New York actor, Shor acquired the lead role in the first national company tour of 'Equus.' He continued to study acting in London, and made appearances on PBS and ABC. As the laid-back Ram, he breaks out of the Game Grid with Tron and Flynn before he is struck down by a game tank chasing after the trio.
Now: You might also remember Shor as Billy the Kid in 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.' In addition to a recurring part on 'Cagney and Lacey' and multiple appearances in the 'Star Trek' franchise, Shor continues to work extensively in the realm of theater. He wrote and directed the play 'He Who Gets Slapped,' racked up over thirty Dramalogue, Ovation and L.A. Weekly awards, served as a director in residence at the Diversified Theater Company and taught acting at the International Academy of Film & Television in the Philippines. After traveling through Asia, the digital world, ancient history, and outer space, Shor is currently producing theater in New York City.

Peter Jurasik (Crom)
Then: Jurasik started his acting career doing off-Broadway stage work in New York. He moved to Los Angeles and began appearing in television shows such as 'M*A*S*H' and 'Barney Miller.' 'Tron' fans remember him as Crom, the opponent Flynn is forced to play in a deadly round of the Ring Game.
Now: After 'Tron,' Jurasik continued working in television, including a series of memorable performances as Sid the Snitch on 'Hill Street Blues.' Perhaps his most famous role is Londo Mollari, on the '90s cult sci-fi show 'Babylon 5' -- where he worked next to Bruce Boxleitner. Jurasik has continued to keep his sci-fi bread buttered with appearances on shows like 'Sliders' and 'Doctor Who,' and penning 'Diplomatic Act,' a 1998 novel about an actor who is abducted by aliens that think he is his TV show character (it predates the very similar sounding 'Galaxy Quest' by a year).

Steve Lisberger (writer/director)
Then: Lisberger studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston before establishing Lisberger Animation Studios in the mid-1970s. His cartoon work was featured in the 'Fantastic Animation Festival' and his kid's program 'Animalympics' appeared on NBC. He developed the idea for 'Tron' after discovering Pong and attempting to create a project that utilized video-game visuals. 'Tron' was originally conceived as an animated film before moving the idea to Disney, where the film became a pioneer in digital computer effects.
Now: Lisberger continued working -- including giving Ben Stiller his first speaking line, in 'Hot Pursuit' -- while the cult of 'Tron' grew through video games and comic books. He serves as a producer on 'TRON: Legacy' and will even make an appearance in the movie, as the character Shaddix.

Wendy Carlos (Soundtrack)
Then: Wendy Carlos was born Walter Carlos, and first gained attention in the late 1960s for his pioneering work in electronic music. Carlos was one of the most noted users of the Moog synthesizer, using it to record the landmark album 'Switched-On Bach,' which became one of the first classical albums to go both Gold and Platinum in sales. His sound caught the attention of legendary director Stanley Kubrick, who commissioned Carlos to compose music for his films 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'The Shining.' In between those films, Carlos gained a level of notoriety when he underwent sexual reassignment surgery, and subsequently rechristened herself Wendy Carlos. For the 'Tron' soundtrack, Carlos expanded her sound with orchestral accompaniment and the Royal Albert Hall Grand Organ.
Now: Carlos remains a prolific composer of electronic music. Starting in 1998, her entire catalog was re-mastered and re-released, including songs and film compositions that had never been heard before. If that wasn't enough, she's a noted photographer of solar eclipses, and has had her work used by NASA.

Tim Burton (Uncredited Animator)
Then: Burton graduated from CalArts in 1979, after studying character animation, and was immediately hired by Walt Disney's Animation studio. During his time there, he worked as a concept artist on 'The Fox and the Hound' and 'Tron,' doing uncredited work. His only credited work was on 1985's 'The Black Cauldron,' after which he left the studio, citing disagreements between his personal style and Disney's.
Now: You know what happened to him; he became the macabre, goth visionary that launched a thousand Hot Topics. If he had had more say over the artistic direction of the 'Tron' franchise, the MCP would have been stop-motion animation, the electronic score would have been replaced by Danny Elfman's oddball orchestrations and there would have been dead trees inside the computer system. Also, Johnny Depp would have been in there somewhere.

Movie News Quick Hits: Han Solo and Chewbacca Killed in New 'Star Wars' Content

Peter Hall — 2010-12-15T13:40:00+00:00

- If you're a big 'Tron' fan, you may want to keep an eye on Acme Archives Direct, which will be selling limited edition "Interpretive Artwork from the Disney Underground Series."

- Jon Favreau tells the L.A. Times' Hero Complex that he stepped away from 'Iron Man 3' not because of bad relations with Marvel, but because with Disney's 'Magic Kingdom' he wants to, "blow people away, which is easier to do with a project that isn't loaded with built-in expectations."

- Twelve year old 'Jeopardy' winner Thomas Horn has been cast as the lead in 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,' Stephen Daldry's adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel about a young boy out to discover what a key belonging to his father (who died on 9/11) unlocks.

- 'Wrath of the Titans,' the Jonathan Liebesman-directed sequel to 'Clash of the Titans' will be released on March 30th, 2012. Oh, and as previously believed, it will actually be filmed in 3D this time.

- Not content with simply making Han shoot second, the latest bit of 'Star Wars' revisionist history (as part of a new pack of downloadable content for the game 'Force Unleashed II') actually kills off Han Solo and Chewbacca while they're on Endor. Watch the tragedy below:

- Nicolas Cage is set to star in 'Medallion,' Simon West's thriller about a father who has to find his daughter before she disappears forever within the trunk of an NYC taxi cab.

- Sundance 2011 has added the world premieres of Miranda July's 'The Future,' Rob Minkoff's 'Flypaper' and Alison Ellwood and Alex Gibney's 'Magic Trip.'

- 'Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies' will return to TV on January 21, 2011, though it has not yet been released who will be replacing Elvis Mitchell as co-host.

Shelf Life: Tron

Todd Gilchrist — 2010-12-15T09:05:00+00:00

You knew this was coming, didn't you?

Suffice to say that in the past two years I've made no secret of my affection for either 'Tron: Legacy' or its predecessor, 'Tron.' But the thing about a movie or franchise that begins during one's childhood or some impressionable stage of one's moviegoing life is that often nostalgia overwhelms any sense of objectivity, such as is possible, regarding its merits. At the same time, a generational divide emerges between viewers who loved it when it was first released, and who didn't see it until their older counterparts assured them emphatically that the damn thing was nothing short of a masterpiece. And the question is: who's right?

The answer is both and neither. It's as impossible to relinquish that subconscious attachment to a text or film as it is to ignore the expectations one gets from hearing something's good. (This is also why I recommend that anyone interested in 'Tron: Legacy' ignore Twitter, Facebook, or other social media until the film comes out so that they can judge the film for themselves.) But all of that's also why 'Tron' seems like one of the most worthy candidates for a "Shelf Life" column - namely, because its pedigree remains as controversial today as when it was first released.

The Facts: 'Tron' was first released on July 9, 1982, during what has subsequently been described as one of the darkest times in the history of Walt Disney Studios, both in terms of the subject matter it was exploring, and the resultant commercial success that came from such an exploration. Costing $17 million to make, the film eventually went on to become a box office success, earning $33 million in receipts during its theatrical run, and received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Costume Design and Best Sound. Meanwhile, the film hovers at 70 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

What Still Works: Looking at only a handful of exchanges in the film, it's obvious that creator Steven Lisberger conceived a visual and conceptual (not to mention spiritual) world that almost demands further exploration, and he does an admirable job introducing and establishing many of the ideas that give its story greater substance than "dude gets sucked into a computer." Along those lines, 'Tron' is cohesive and smart, providing at least a foundation (if admittedly not an entirely accurate lexicon) for the fantastic journey that Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) experiences. Rather than merely chronicling a guy's attempt to hack into a computer to retrieve the files that would vindicate his talent and creativity, Lisberger throws him into a universe of computer terminology and ideas and challenges him to fight his way out.

Visually, the film remains pretty stunning. Although some of the mattes are slightly uneven, or suffer because the black-lit photography occasionally reveals the backgrounds behind the characters, the conception of the landscape is truly beautiful, and artists Syd Mead and Jean "Moebius" Giraud do an amazing job translating the ideas of the time about computers and programming into multi-dimensional worlds, vehicles and characters. And even though some of that visual style remains anachronistic, in many ways it seems more faithful to the computer universe because it was created at a time in which computer artistry and technology was still restricted to geometric coding - at least to laypeople of that period.

In this regard, I also think that the special effects not only hold up but remain spectacularly groundbreaking. Contrary to some criticisms, the light cycles and vehicles and landscapes were never designed to be photorealistic, and as such they brilliantly represent our idea what these objects might look like if interpreted through the eye of a computer.

Finally, I think most of the performances are also great. Bridges' palpable joie de vivre permeates every scene in which he appears, and he seems to be having the time of his life shuffling from one oddball scenario to another; he really is this fascinating sort of free-spirit hippie programmer with more grandiose ideas than just the construction of a new or more efficient program. Meanwhile, Bruce Boxleitner is not only a study in polished, leading-man heroism as Tron, but he provides the right amount of naïve integrity to make that salvation program of Alan Bradley's an essential but somehow not central component of the story.

And watching Cindy Morgan, who is even bit as gorgeous in a day-glow bodysuit as she was in a tennis skirt in 'Caddyshack,' it's a real shame that she didn't have more success on the big screen. Although her work on TV was equally terrific, she communicates an incredibly attractive sense of empowerment and confidence (her voice is steady and calming, especially against Bridges' explosiveness and Boxleitner's stalwart heroism), and gives Yori a depth and presence that allows her to be more than the "love interest," both in the real and computer worlds.

What Doesn't Work: Well, mostly the fact that the movie isn't really about Tron, per se. As indicated above, he plays a pivotal role in the story, but ultimately the story is Flynn's, and to that end he serves primarily as a supporting character.

Beyond that, the film has some pacing issues, occasionally marveling at its own creativity a little bit more than it probably should, and allowing set pieces to go on longer than necessary. And also as highlighted above, the film's limited budget, along with its (admirably) ambitious visual breakthroughs sometimes produced images that seem incomplete or unfinished; several of the backgrounds literally drop off into blackness and don't match alternate angles of the same location, or the juxtaposition of black and white footage of the actors with these CG landscapes seems occasionally wonky or unclear.

What's The Verdict: Independent of my personal affection for the film, I think 'Tron' holds up remarkably well, although I understand why a lot of younger audiences may find it uninspiring or boring. Many films released since 1982 have covered at least vaguely similar territory, and of course refined storytelling rhythms and narrative momentum, and its effects, while indisputably groundbreaking, I'm sure seem primitive at best in comparison to the worlds and creatures created seemingly effortlessly today.

Overall, 'Tron' is an exciting kind of film, as much as it is entertaining on its own merits: it comes up with a great ideas, explores it in interesting ways, and leaves enough ideas on the table to arouse the curiosity and passion of its audience. And even if those shortcomings sometimes undermine its technical or conceptual achievements, Steven Lisberger's film will always be a source of inspiration and a technological landmark, earning it a deserved place in the pantheon of the industry's most memorable works.

[Editor's Note: 'Tron' is currently unavailable on DVD as Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment took it off the market several months ago. Although no official word has been announced about a potential Blu-ray or DVD re-release, you might be able to find the film at your local video store, or in major cities, being screened theatrically in anticipation of 'Tron: Legacy.']

'TRON: Legacy's' Olivia Wilde, Jeff Bridges on Skin-Tight Costumes, 'The Dude's' Review

Neil Busch — 2010-12-13T16:35:00+00:00

Man ... Jeff Bridges is cool. Jeff and 'TRON: Legacy' co-star Olivia Wilde stopped by Moviefone to tell us what it was like working on the film and, as an extra bonus, Jeff graced us with a review of the movie by none other than 'The Dude'!

Listen to Jeff Bridges talk long enough and it's easy to see why he was cast as 'The Dude' in the iconic 'Big Lebowski.' His description of his perfect day off is a stream of consciousness trip that almost seems like he transports himself there in his mind. He also told us his plan to make the third movie in 'Brokeback Mountain' author Larry McMurtry's 'Last Picture Show' series of novels.

It's not all about Jeff. Olivia explains how 'TRON' has affected her personal style, "'TRON' sort of knocked a little bit of the hippie out of me." She also tells how all those hours of getting in and out of her skin-tight costume (mmm ... skin-tight) helped her get into character and ready for the digital world.

Watch this highly entertaining interview, and then see 'TRON: Legacy' when it opens Dec. 17. Plus, check out free screenings of Tron in Atlanta and Dallas!

'TRON: Legacy' Fan Questions

The following questions, submitted by fans like you, were asked during this Unscripted.

Olivia:

What did it take to get in and out of your skin-tight costume every day?

Evelyn from Rochester, NY
Jeff:

How would 'the dude' summarize 'TRON: Legacy'?

Justin from Los Angeles, CA
Olivia:

If you could live inside any video game, what would it be?

Ashleeta from San Diego, CA
Jeff:

Is there any other movie from your career that you'd want to make a sequel to?

Andy from Bolton, England

'TRON: Legacy' Merchandise: Five Things You'll Want to Own

Erik Davis — 2010-12-09T19:30:00+00:00

We've already seen 'TRON: Legacy', so trust us when we say that if there's one thing you'll take away from the film, it will be the frenzied desire to transport yourself to the world of TRON (minus, ya know, the whole forced-to-compete-in-life-or-death-games thing). Walt Disney knows this, and so they've gone and created an entire line of 'TRON: Legacy' gear -- from toy lightcycles to video games to sexy, workout-related women's short-shorts -- so no matter what freakish TRON addiction you have, there should be something there to satisfy.

And let's admit it: Movie merchandise isn't always that fascinating for people over the age of 11, so to see a film come out with some cool products for teens and adults is definitely a good thing. But what's actually worth buying, and what's best left for the box in your attic labeled, "Stuff I Bought That I Used Only Once Because I'm An Idiot"?

Head after the jump for the five pieces of 'TRON: Legacy' merch that we like the best.

1. Monster(R) TRON iPod Identity Disc Dock ($249.95 at Amazon)

Compatible with iPod Nano, iPod Touch (1-3rd gen), and iPhone (1, 3g, 3gs, 4), this iPod dock combines two of the film's coolest features (the identity discs and Daft Punk's score) into one delicious piece of bump-thumpin' awesomeness. And if your neighbors complain about the noise, just frisbee that sucker right at them.

2. 'Tron: Legacy' Soundtrack ($11.99 on Amazon; $9.99 on iTunes)

And speaking about that Daft Punk soundtrack, your inner '80s club-hopper will fall all over this thing. From the 'Dark Knight'-esque "Recognizer" to the glow-stick-ready "Derezzed", you should pick up this year's most talked-about movie soundtrack just so you can brag at the office holiday party: "Yeah, it's typical Daft. Track 11 has some issues, but the overall vibe is killer."

3. Tron Icon Men's New Era Hat ($29.99 at Hurley.com)

Disney is working with a few other retailers to create TRON-specific gear. Hurley has an entire line of clothing inspired by 'TRON: Legacy', but we specifically dig this hat that TRON-ifies the Hurley logo.

4. Oakley Limited Edition Tron 3D Glasses ($150 at Oakley.com)

Who wants to get stuck wearing the boring (and uncomfortable) re-usable 3D glasses they hand out at the theaters, with their germs and crusted buttery popcorn caked on from the 9-year-old mess who wore them before you? No thanks. Oakley kicked it up a notch by debuting a pair of limited edition 3D glasses that you can buy for 'TRON: Legacy' and then keep to impress dates at future 3D movie screenings with lines like, "Oh no, I won't need those glasses -- I've got my TRON Oakleys right here." (Note: This line only works if you pull the glasses out from your jacket pocket real slowly.)

5. 'Tron: Evolution' Collector's Edition ($128.88 at Amazon)

For gamers Disney helped develop the video game 'TRON: Evolution', which can be purchased as part of a collector's edition that comes with the game, a gift certificate worth the price of a movie ticket, a limited edition lightcycle from Sideshow Collectibles, and some sort of carrying case. Honestly, you had us at limited edition light cycle.

Bonus

For those who want a more immersive Tron experience ...

1. There's elecTRONica at Disneyland in California.

2. Or you can stay at the 'TRON: Legacy' inspired room at Sweden's World Famous Ice Hotel.

'Tron: Legacy' Trailer, Clip and Soundtrack Round-up

Peter Hall — 2010-12-01T20:46:00+00:00

Now that we've all awoken from our Thanksgiving comas into ~~December~~ Troncember, it's officially okay to say that 'Tron: Legacy' is fast approaching. Will December 17th mark the second coming of glorious, glossy sci-fi, or will it be the second coming of, well, 'Tron'? Couldn't tell you. What we can tell you, however, is that Disney have been promoting their holiday behemoth like it's going out of style before it even has a chance to go out of style.

We don't need to tell you that, however. The marketing machine for 'Tron: Legacy' has been so massive, so omnipresent in all forms of media that it's been impossible to not be hit by some of it. But while lightcycle battles going on inside of Coke cans are neat, all anyone really cares about are the trailers, the clips and the soundtrack, right? That's the hope, at least, since we've filtered through the onslaught of 'Tron: Legacy' marketing to collect those things on a single, handy page for your perusal.

Trailers:

Trailer 1

Trailer 2

Trailer 3

Clips and Interviews

'Tron,' a quick introduction

The Comic-Con Grid Visual Effects Test

Star Talk Interview

The Story

Clu

Designing the Light Bike

Quorra Saves Sam

10 Questions in 60 Seconds

The World of Tron

Daft Punk's Score

"Derezzed"

MySpace has a 21-minute long preview of Daft Punk's score, but sadly it cannot be embedded.

Is Disney Hiding Copies of 'Tron' From Potential 'Tron: Legacy' Moviegoers?

Erik Davis — 2010-11-16T11:15:00+00:00

A new conspiracy theory has cropped up online in advance of 'Tron: Legacy' hitting theaters next month; one that suggests Disney is hiding the original 'Tron' by keeping it off DVD shelves in order to -- and yes, this sounds weird -- keep people from seeing it for fear it will turn them off from watching its sequel this December. Rebecca Keegan over at the LA Times did some digging and noticed that a copy of 'Tron' was almost impossible to come by these days, with Netflix listing it as "availability unknown" and users on eBay charging through the roof for any used copies. Furthermore, a scan of 30 Blockbusters in Los Angeles resulted in only two having copies in stock.

Definitely strange, especially since Disney (the ones putting out 'Tron') just recently re-released 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' in theaters (and on DVD/Blu-ray) prior to the theatrical release of 'Toy Story 3' this past summer. You'd think there would be an audience interested in catching up with the original 'Tron' prior to watching its sequel, right? Surely a studio wouldn't pass up the opportunity to capitalize on all the hype floating around this franchise right now ... right?

So then what gives? Is Disney really hiding 'Tron' on purpose, or are they simply preparing for an even bigger surprise? Sure, its effects may look silly now even though back in 1982 they were ahead of its time, but 'Star Wars' was also ahead of its time and those original films are beloved by millions. Heck, Disney wouldn't be making a sequel to 'Tron' if the original wasn't so cemented in our neon blue-filled pop-culture hearts. Keegan does note that Disney intends to release a new Blu-ray edition of 'Tron' in 2011, but that could come several months after Tron: Legacy hits theaters; most likely tied to the latter film's home video release as well.

What do you think? Are you one of those people itching to see 'Tron' before 'Tron: Legacy'? Do you think Disney should host special screenings so fans can see the original?

'Tron: Uprising' Animated Series Set for 2012, Starring Elijah Wood

Alison Nastasi — 2010-11-05T15:45:00+00:00

With the release of 'Tron: Legacy' just a few weeks away, Disney decided this would be the perfect time to announce that they'll be producing a new animated series, 'Tron: Uprising.' The show will make its debut on the small screen in the summer of 2012 and will feature a voice cast of interesting names -- including Elijah Wood as the series' main character.

Wood plays Beck, "who leads a revolution inside the Grid's computer world." The Grid, of course, is an advanced, digital universe created by leading video-game developer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) in the 1982 movie. In 'Tron: Legacy' Flynn's son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) enters the grid to find his father who has been trapped there for 20 years.

In addition to Wood, the animations of 'Tron's' digital frontier will also be voiced by Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Paul Reubens, Lance Henriksen, and Bruce Boxleitner. That's quite a roundup. Disney XD will air 'Uprising,' along with the previously announced 10-episode 'Tron' microseries, which starts in fall 2011.

While many big boy 'Tron' fans will be fantasizing about seeing Olivia Wilde's skintight suit in the new movie, Disney is offering the chance for little boys to ogle 'Tron's' fast cars, gadgets, and other goodies on TV. Disney Channels Worldwide president told reporters, "When kids dream, particularly boys, this is what they dream about." Meanwhile, Disney execs are almost assuredly dreaming of big box office returns for 'Tron: Legacy' when it hits theaters next month.

[via Variety]

'Tron: Legacy' Sneak Peek

Chris Jancelewicz — 2010-11-05T09:00:00+00:00

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

Disney was nice enough to invite Moviefone to a sneak peek of 'Tron: Legacy,' which is set to open in theaters in mid-December. Since the film is currently unfinished, Disney was only able to show us 23 minutes of the film; we saw snippets of several scenes from the movie. It bodes well for 'Tron: Legacy' that even though we saw such brief footage, our jaws were on the floor and we were completely engaged. So imagine what it'll be like when we know the whole story and all of the characters?

Here are a few things we can share with you 'Tron'-heads out there:

'Tron': Not Just for Geeks Anymore
Sure, the movie's based inside a computer-created 'Grid' where people play cyber-games against one another into perpetuity, but there's more to the film than that. In the scant footage we had to watch, there were several laugh-out-loud moments with clever dialogue and sharp humor. There are digs at old technology: "Man, you're really rocking that pager!," and even a few zingers: "Ugh, I smell like jail." They've even thrown in a cute Boston Terrier for the dog lovers in the crowd.

Awesome '80s References
Of course, the original 'Tron' movie and 'Tron' video game (read: arcade game) came out in the 1980s, so it's only natural that Disney include several references to the decade. Among them: We get to see the arcade game in mint condition and hear those amazing sound effects, and aside from the Daft Punk-created soundtrack, we're treated to many '80s songs as the movie progresses, including The Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).'

Olivia Wilde Is Perfectly Cast
If you thought that Wilde was best-suited on 'House,' think again. Cast as the savvy Quorra in 'Tron: Legacy,' Wilde almost looks like part of the computer-generated scenery. Like a cut-out from manga, her hair is cut into a short black bob, and her icy blue eyes provide stark contrast to the ever-present 'Tron' darkness.

Sexiness Abound
Sex was practically oozing off the screen, in a Disney sort of way, of course. While nothing is ever stated outright, there were some definitely suggestive moments. It helps that nearly every character wears a skintight Tron outfit, highlighting abs, curves, and arms. For the ladies, leading man Garrett Hedlund (as Sam Flynn) is stacked and cut -- his shirt comes off in one of the first scenes -- and for the gents (of which there will undoubtedly be many), several svelte femme-bot type characters supply plenty of eye candy, if the effects aren't enough.

Jaw-Dropping Effects
'Tron: Legacy' is going to give 'Avatar' a run for its money, especially in terms of the 3-D usage. There were moments when we couldn't take our eyes off the screen to take notes. Several scenes, especially ones involving the games and races, were like 'The Matrix' on speed. Light cycles, light jets, disc wars, whatever the case -- each action segment was a pure shot of adrenaline. Fanboys will salivate, kids will be hypnotized, and the naysayer will be converted. We think.

'Tron: Legacy' opens in theaters on December 17.

'Tron' Halloween Costume

Jason Guerrasio — 2010-10-25T17:40:00+00:00

How to dress like one of the characters from 'Tron' for Halloween:

The Costume: The neon-lit "Users" from the 1982 Disney classic 'Tron,' who are inside a software system's mainframe fighting alongside human Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) to thwart the plans of the evil Master Control Program, which intends to break into military mainframes and control the world.

What You'll Need: If creating the most authentic, eye-catching 'Tron' costume is your objective then you've come to the right place. Thanks to the Internet meme, "Tron Guy," we have a starting point, but with the sequel 'TRON: Legacy' slated to open in December, many of you may want to upgrade.

Tron (1982)
To build a costume like the one Jeff Brides or Bruce Boxleitner wore in 'Tron,' start with the basics. For the skin-tight suit, which should be light grey, you'll have to decide whether to construct it using a dorky unitard or one of those two-piece Spandex outfits that runners wear. Either way, we strongly suggest that you do a good, hard set of crunches before putting the suit on. For the protective headgear, you should use a hockey helmet (take off the chin strap and face guard).

Now to the hard part: adding the flourescent blue lines to the costume. To create the look of your body being outlined in an elaborate set of circuitry, buy some kind of blue paint that will work well on fabric and plastic (as you'll have to paint designs on your suit, helmet and Frisbee). The best way to get the straightest, crispest lines on your costume is to outline your design first with masking tape then paint within those lines you've created. When this is complete and the paint is dry you should then paint over the blue lines with blue glow-in-the-dark paint (which should last over four hours). A ratty pair of tennis shoes that you can paint grey will complete the look.

Tron: Legacy (2010)
If you'd like to be ahead of the trend, try the sleeker 'TRON: Legacy' look. As you've seen in the trailer, the light grey look of the "User" has now shifted to black (a tight-fitting leather/imitation leather jacket, black pants and black sneakers should suffice). Wearing a helmet is no longer a necessity with the new version, but the biggest change is that you should use EL wire (electroluminescent wire) to freshen up the circuitry on your body. This is a bit more complex than buying some Spandex and fabric paint. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add EL wire to clothes. If you have the time, patience and tools to pull it off, you're certain to be the biggest hit at your Halloween party.

Accessories: Unless you're independently wealthy and can trick out your motorcycle with EL wire (which we do not recommend) or want to walk around with a jai alai basket on your hand the whole evening, the Frisbee is the only accessory you'll need, especially if you can affix it to your back. Buy a white one and use the blue paint you bought for your clothes to paint rings starting from the outside of the disc and going into the center (once again use masking take to map out your design). Four circles should do the trick. When it dries, paint it over with the glow-in-the-dark paint. If you're doing the 'TRON: Legacy' look you should go with a black Frisbee, as pictured above.

2010 Halloween Costume Ideas: Movie Characters

Daft Punk's 'Tron: Legacy' Soundtrack Delayed; Images Released -- Listen Now

Alison Nastasi — 2010-10-12T13:33:00+00:00

Pictured: Daft Punk enters the world of 'Tron:Legacy' in this newly released image from Disney.

If you can manage to stop fantasizing about Olivia Wilde in a skin-tight cat suit or the Tron-a-Sutra for a few moments, you might remember that 'Tron: Legacy's' soundtrack is kind of a big deal for electro musicians Daft Punk. Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter haven't released a full-length album since 2005's 'Human After All.' The duo will be scoring the 'Tron: Legacy' soundtrack -- Disney's long awaited sequel to the 1982 fan favorite. It was just announced that the release date for the soundtrack has been pushed back to December 7. Don't fret though, Disney wants to make up for it by sharing a twenty second clip from the soundtrack (listen below), as well as 90 seconds from the track "The Game Has Changed" over on their official Facebook page. And don't forget about the glow-happy poster, which will be included with pre-orders of the soundtrack (check out a partial image of the poster below).

Daft Punk will also be appearing in the film, which sees the return of Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn who has been trapped in the Tron universe for 20 years manages to get a signal out to his son (Garrett Hedlund). Hedlund is pulled into the world and must save his father and escape back to reality -- no easy feat since Kevin's virtual world has become far more advanced over the past two decades.

'Tron: Legacy' is scheduled for a December 17th release date, but Disney isn't planning to leave fans in the dark between now and then. The studio will release new videos, artwork, and other assorted goodies every Tuesday from now until the film lands on the big screen - and is promising a 20-minute sneak peak of the film at IMAX 3D theaters on October 28th (go request your tickets for that now). Start lining up for that screening now as it's sure to be one of the biggest events of the fall movie season.

Derezzed by ludomoski

'Tron Night' to Copy 'Avatar Day' and Feature 20 Minutes of Footage Plus More

Christopher Campbell — 2010-10-11T17:24:00+00:00

Last year 20th Century Fox attempted a bold marketing strategy for with 'Avatar Day,' a theatrical event that allowed people to see advance footage of the highly anticipated new James Cameron movie four months before its release. Now Disney is trying something similar with 'Tron Night,' a chance for fans to see more than 20 minutes worth of new 3-D material from 'Tron: Legacy' at select IMAX locations nationwide. This event will happen October 28, 2010, and if you're in the U.S. or Canada you can reserve a seat at your nearest participating theater by going to a special Tron Night website starting tomorrow (October 12) at 1pm EST (international ticket info is tbd).

It may still be up for debate whether the 'Avatar' previews were a success or failure back in August 2009, but it's also hard to care either way now that the movie has made hundreds of millions and won a few Oscars. The thing about this movie, though, is that it has a built in fanbase, even if only of cult proportions, and many who grew up with 'Tron' are particularly excited to see this sequel, which arrives 28 years after the original. But how many of you are psyched enough to tease and spoil ourselves with this little bit?

Wouldn't it be better if Disney preceded or followed the footage with full screenings of the original 'Tron'? They'd have to at least convert it to IMAX, but they could also charge for that event, profiting through the marketing, while also giving us a chance to revisit -- or for those who haven't ever seen it, play catch up with -- the first film on the big screen.

Will you be getting your tickets to 'Tron Night' tomorrow?

New 'Tron: Legacy' Banner: Olivia Wilde

Mel Valentin — 2010-09-11T16:10:00+00:00

Tron: Legacy doesn't hit movie theaters for another three months (a lifetime to some Tron fans), but we, I mean they, can rewatch the previously released visual effects test, the trailers, and, when that's not enough, they can download poster art, images, or anything else connected to Disney's Tron sequel. This weekend, Tron fans will have to be satisfied with the release of a new Tron: Legacy banner of Olivia Wilde as Quorra, a virtual character who helps the ostensible hero, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), navigate his way through Tron's dangerous digital universe.

Here's the official plot synopsis courtesy of Disney:

Sam Flynn (Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world's leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the abandoned Flynn's Arcade-that could have only come from his father-he finds himself pulled into a world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually-stunning digital universe-created by Kevin himself-which has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons, and landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape.

Join us after the jump for the hi-res banner.

So what do you think of the new (or rather newish) banner for Tron: Legacy? Does it make you more or less interested in seeing Tron: Legacy in December?

Tron: Legacy arrives in multiplexes everywhere on December 17th in Disney Digital 3D[TM].

Bruce Boxleitner Talks 'Tron: Legacy' and the 'Tron'-Cycle (VIDEO)

Chris Jancelewicz — 2010-09-10T15:00:00+00:00

While fanboys spit-shine their 3-D glasses in anticipation for 'Tron: Legacy,' which is being released on Dec. 17, Moviefone caught up with Bruce Boxleitner, one of the movie's stars. 'Tron: Legacy' follows Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who is looking into his father's disappearance. He eventually finds himself pulled into the same world of mysterious programs and bike races where his father has been living for 25 years.

Boxleitner also appeared in the 1982 original 'Tron,' and for him and some of the other cast members, it was like a reunion -- except now the effects have caught up to the concept. As Boxleitner quips, "This ain't your daddy's 'Tron'!"

Check out the video after the jump!

Beyond the Gun: Creative Ways to Kill People in Movies

Mike Ryan — 2010-09-02T17:30:00+00:00

On Friday, Robert Rodriguez's 'Machete' hits theaters, which tell of the story of a man named Machete whose weapon of choice is, yep, machetes!

You know, we kind of like a guy who puts his own signature style on a weapon. Anyone can pick up a gun. Not everyone can go around killing people with machetes and live too long to tell about it.

So, in honor of 'Machete,' we put together a list of other on-screen weapons that involve a little more creativity than your average hand gun.

Lightsaber
A more elegant weapon from a more civilized time. When these words were spoken by Alec Guinness in 1977's 'Star Wars,' I dreamt of a time when we might actually get to witness this "more civilized time" that he spoke of on-screen. (Little did we know that a more civilized time involved Jar Jar Binks.) Regardless, the lightsaber is the preferred weapon of the Jedi Knights, and comes in an assortment of colors -- just like Flavor Ice. Also they're not as clumsy or random as blaster -- which, when you thinking about it, really would explain why stormtroopers can never seem to hit their targets.

Light Cycle
Who needs a gun when the vehicle that you happen to drive leaves an energy beam wall in its wake? Oh, also, it's really fast. Imagine the next time you're being chased by criminals on the 405. Little do the criminals know that they have just messed with the wrong user. They're going to be quite surprised when, out of nowhere, there's a big blue energy wall right in front of them. One warning: They've never really been tested outside of 'Tron''s ENCOM mainframe. Also of use when your retaining wall collapses and a contractor is too expensive.

Captive Bolt Pistol
If you're ever pulled over in the middle of nowhere and someone wants to put a weird hose-looking thing against your forehead, please, please do not let them. If 'No Country for Old Men' taught us anything, it's that if this sort of weapon can kill a cow, well, it can certainly take down a human being, too. And that just proves how dangerous Anton Chigurh really was: He didn't need a gun that actually fired bullets at a distant target. No, he preferred one in which he had to be standing right next to the victim.

Proton Pack
Never cross the streams. How powerful is a proton pack? As Egon Spengler said, "Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light." And, as we know, that's bad. Look, the Ghostbusters needed something with a little more kick, considering they were battling the supernatural. A typical Saturday night special isn't going to do too much against the likes of Gozer the Gozerian. To defeat ancient demons, a person is going to need something that's capable of total protonic reversal.

Ceti Eel
You probably know these better as the little ear creatures that were inserted by Khan into Chekov and Terrell in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.' What better weapon than the ability to turn your enemy into your unwilling ally and spy? Just let this little guy crawl through the ear into the victim's brain and boom: Your former enemy is now open to any possible suggestion that you may have. Sure, the Ceti Eels can cause such madness in its host that eventually the host may just choose to kill himself, as opposed to following a direct order. Well, guns have been known to backfire, as well. There are plenty more Ceti Eels to go around and they don't cost nearly as much. (Note: Traveling to Ceti Alpha V to obtain a Ceti Eel is expensive and dangerous.)

Web-Shooters
Back before 2002's 'Spider-Man,' starring Tobey Maguire, the wall crawler's web-shooters were not organic. In the comic, cartoon and old live-action television show, Peter Parker actually put his nerd skills to work and built his web-shooters himself -- a trusty little gadget used to swing himself from rooftop to rooftop and to subdue criminals. (Come to think of it, the idea that a high school kid -- no matter how great of a student he might have been -- could just invent fully functioning web-shooters seems more unlikely than a radioactive spider giving a person super strength and the ability to clime walls.)

'Kill Bill' Bride Sword
Sure, it's still just a sword, but by the end of both 'Kill Bill' movies, it does seem quite magical. In fact, it makes one almost want this sword over a lightsaber (almost). There are a couple of caveats: It would appear that some pretty intense training and choreography work is needed to perfect use of this sword. Also, there's a chance that this sword is only effective if the song 'Battle Without Honor or Humanity' by Tomoyasu Hotei is playing in the background.

Disagree with Mike? Send him your thoughts on Twitter

10 Beloved Movies That Started as Box-Office Disappointments

Alonso Duralde — 2010-08-31T16:55:00+00:00

Poor 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World': Critics and audiences have loved the unique way that it grafts comic-book and video-game storytelling onto moviemaking, and it's the kind of movie that's destined to garner great word of mouth (and sell lots of DVDs) in the years to come.

Right now, unfortunately, there aren't enough enthusiastic audiences out there to rescue the movie from being one of the big money-losers of the summer of 2010. But buck up, Mr. Pilgrim -- the history of movies is dotted with films that died in theaters but eventually become popular classics anyway. With any luck, you'll join this list.

rescue the movie from being one of the big money-losers of the summer of 2010. But buck up, Mr. Pilgrim -- the history of movies is dotted with films that died in theaters but eventually become popular classics anyway. With any luck, you'll join this list.

'Fight Club'
Nowadays, people quote this movie constantly, and other films and TV shows make references to it, and we all know the shocking plot twist. (There were even real-life fight clubs inspired by the film.) Alas, in its original 1999 release, all those pictures of a shirtless, scruffy Brad Pitt couldn't get moviegoers interested to find out "Who Is Tyler Durden?" David Fincher's adaptation of the Chuck Palahniuk novel did big biz overseas, but in the U.S., 'Fight Club' rustled up a mere $37 million, meaning it got out-earned by movies with much less staying power. (When's the last time you popped 'Blue Streak' or 'Bicentennial Man' into your DVD player?)

'Donnie Darko'
It's the movie that launched Jake Gyllenhaal's career, made writer-director Richard Kelly a cult-film icon and embedded "Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion" into the popular vocabulary. And audiences certainly snapped up this quirky teen-angst/time-travel tale on DVD, making it popular enough to spawn a Director's Cut reissue. Impossible as it may seem now, however, 'Donnie Darko' was merely a blip on the landscape during its theatrical run, raking in only $517,735. (The extended reissue didn't do much better, with a total of $753,147.) It was an offbeat movie aimed at teens that played with cinematic language and rewarded multiple viewings -- that sound familiar, 'Scott Pilgrim' fans?

'It's a Wonderful Life'
Oh yes, your Christmas wouldn't be complete without an annual visit to Bedford Falls and the redemption of hard-working, kind-hearted George Bailey (James Stewart), the assistance of guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers), Zuzu's petals and 'Buffalo Gals' and everything else. But the holiday story that doesn't often get told is that 'Wonderful' was anything but at the box office, laying an egg so huge that it pretty much single-handedly destroyed director Frank Capra's fledgling production company Liberty Films. It wasn't until the film lapsed into the public domain in the 1970s and started wallpapering TV during the month of December that audiences discovered what a gem it was -- which, in a weird way, affirms the movie's good-karma message.

'Office Space'
It's the movie that taught us all what "flair" is -- and it inspired Swingline to introduce a red stapler -- but even though this satirical workplace comedy from animator Mike Judge went on to garner a huge following on DVD, a crappy marketing campaign sank the film's theatrical chances, winding up with a mere $10.8 million. (Even a Fox studio head later admitted the ads were all wrong.) The weird postscript to all this is that Judge made another sharp, satirical comedy for the same studio -- which made even less money, because Fox basically buried 'Idiocracy' in a handful of cities with no promotion whatsoever before shuttling it off to DVD. (That movie, too, found its following on home video.)

'Xanadu'
This roller-disco musical wasn't just a box-office disappointment; hitting theaters around the time that "Disco Sucks" bumper stickers were popping up everywhere, this silly, entertaining fantasy film almost instantly became the butt of jokes in every corner of pop culture. But 'Xanadu' got the last laugh -- the soundtrack of Olivia Newton-John and ELO hits turned into a perennial, the movie became the basis for a popular and critically acclaimed Broadway musical and the film itself is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary with big-screen revival presentations around the country. So put THAT in your legwarmers, hater.

'Showgirls'
Another film that found itself roundly mocked upon its original release was Paul Verhoeven's melodramatic tale of Las Vegas topless dancers and their ruthless climb to the top. But while the film temporarily hobbled Elizabeth Berkley's post-'Saved by the Bell' career -- and pretty much put the kibosh on the commercial viability of the NC-17 rating -- this campy and purple-prose-packed hoot became catnip for drag queens and other gay fans of overdone cinema. While the original take was just $20 million (on an alleged budget of $45 million), years and years of midnight screenings and DVD special editions have transformed this ugly duckling into a swan that lays golden eggs.

'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'
Speaking of midnight movies, perhaps no other film in the history of the medium owes its success to the late-late show as much as this polymorphously perverse musical. Originally released in the fall of 1975, the movie flopped in eight cities and then in a reissued double bill with 'Phantom of the Paradise.' The 'Rocky' phenomenon didn't really take off until the following spring, when it began running at midnight in New York City. In no time, the film became a nationwide sensation, with audience members dressing like the characters, yelling back at the screen, tossing rice and toast at each other and, of course, doing 'The Time Warp' in the aisles. Still technically considered to be in limited release after 35 years, 'Rocky Horror' remains the cult sensation by which all others are measured.

'Tron'
1982 was a big summer for sci-fi/fantasy -- if your movie's title was 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.' That year also saw the release of Disney's ambitious tale of a video-game creator (Jeff Bridges) who winds up trapped in a world of his own design. But while the computer effects were state-of-the-art, the story didn't grab audiences ... at first, anyway. 'Tron' went from punchline to touchstone, as subsequent generations of nerds were entranced and excited by the film's life-inside-the-computer premise. And now this one-time embarrassment has become the launchpad for one of 2010's most anticipated releases, the reboot/sequel 'TRON: Legacy,' which the studio has been marketing to hard-core fanboys for more than a year now.

'The Stunt Man'
Despite acclaim at film festivals and rapturous reviews (including one from the notoriously tough-to-please Pauline Kael), 'The Stunt Man' never got the backing it needed from 20th Century Fox, which chucked the movie into a few cities and basically ignored it. (As Peter O'Toole later observed on the DVD, "The film wasn't released -- it escaped.") Nonetheless, the film went on to snag a well-deserved Oscar nomination for O'Toole (who plays a dictatorial filmmaker who helps a fugitive hide out by hiring him as a stuntman), and the 1980 film has gone on to be considered an American classic, and one of the best films ever made about moviemaking (and the blurry line between cinema and reality).

'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'
Here's a movie that became a classic around the time the film's original audience (anyone aged 4-8 in 1971) went to college, but the film's dark and twisted sense of humor made audiences of the time feel skittish about touring Wonka's factory. The failure of 'Wonka' was something of a double-whammy -- not only did the movie do disappointing numbers, but Quaker Oats (who financed the movie) lost its shirt on an equally unsuccessful line of candy tie-ins. But there's a sweet ending: The movie is now considered to be one of the great kid films of all time, and there's a new line of Wonka brand deluxe chocolate bars (that was launched, appropriately enough, with a "golden ticket" giveaway).

'Tron' Inspired Videos Teach the Pleasures of Sex

Alison Nastasi — 2010-08-26T19:32:00+00:00

Tron has served as a template for many things -- including how to make cool looking motorcycles with groovy lights, how to make a big budget flop that somehow becomes a cult classic and spawns a sequel, and so on. Now it can add one more thing to the list: how to have sex.

Geeks everywhere will be delighted to discover this new Tron-a-Sutra video that turned up recently over at WonderHowTo.com. Thanks to some enterprising filmmakers and two people who weren't afraid to hook up in virtual reality, lovelorn nerds everywhere can now learn countless new positions for that magical day in the future when they actually get a date.

Presented in jargon every wannabe hacker can understand (insert your dongle into her USB port ... ) this is sure to take the mystery out of all your future romantic interfaces. You'll be downloading your files into that special someone in no time.

Needless to say, this is the ultimate tutorial for the tech-head crowd. Chronicling over twenty positions in all, this pretty much guarantees that you and your sexytime partner won't be bored "transferring data between servers."

If you find missionary sex filthy, then you probably don't want to hit the jump -- or anything else for that matter. For the rest of us, head past the break to check out a few stills. And don't worry, there are better and more interesting positions on the WonderHowTo site to ogle -- all gloriously NSFW.

See Jock's Covers for 'Tron: Betrayal'

Brad Trechak — 2010-08-23T13:20:00+00:00

If you're a big fan of the 'Tron' franchise and even the original movie plus the upcoming sequel is not enough, then you're in luck. Disney is releasing a set of 'Tron' comic books to fill in the gap between the two movies. The limited series is called 'Tron Betrayal' and it is being written by Jai Nitz and drawn by Andrew Tong. The covers are drawn by Jock, who has done the art for such series as 'Judge Dredd', 'The Losers' and 'Detective Comics.'

The story involves Flynn, now in charge of Encom (which sounds a little too much like Enron for my tastes) building a new gaming system and needing the help of Tron to stop a problem with it.

This comic should really be no surprise to anyone considering the presence of the 'Tron' sequels at a few San Diego Comic Cons of the recent past. It's almost required to have a comic book prequel like the 'Star Trek' reboot.

80s Cinestalgia: The Last Starfighter

Erik Childress — 2010-08-13T19:33:00+00:00

"Greetings, Starfighter. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada."

A trailer park teenager played by the then-24 Lance Guest, all Alex Rogen wanted was to break away (as Kelly Clarkson might say today) with his best girl, Maggie (Catherine Mary Stewart). The poor guy's only relief from the everyday grind of fixing everyone's appliances in the trailer camp was the Starfighter video game on old man Otis' porch. But things change for Alex the night he "busts the record" and discovers that the game is actually a recruiting tool for an interstellar war between, well, you guessed it. (See above.)

Picked up in a flying car that looked suspiciously like a certain DeLorean a year later, Alex is whisked into the stars by the shady Centauri (Robert Preston) to join the fight. Understandably reluctant to suit up for a mission where "game over" means more than just needing another quarter, Alex's world back home doesn't seem so bad anymore. That is until a successful attack by Xur and his army makes Alex ... well, the last starfighter. Now a target back on Earth, Alex returns with little choice but to make a go of it.

Fans looking at the film's glorious-looking Blu-ray edition and seeing the words "25th Anniversary Edition" stamped across its front know two things: (1) That time does indeed fly and (2) every aspect of Starfighter's incredibly creative story. Simplistic enough for a high-concept pitch, director Nick Castle and screenwriter Jonathan R. Betuel took it ten steps further and filled 101 minutes with some really cool ideas and fun dialogue. The Beta Unit put on earth to double for Alex only to discover he was a decoy. Centauri switching from his "Excalibur test" to the more modern technology to seek out the chosen one. The bonus Death Blossom feature on Alex's GunStar that was both a carnival ride and cooler than any smart bomb ever used on Defender.

Most importantly though, The Last Starfighter is filled front-to-back with really likable characters. Alex is sympathetic to the point that his concerns about his real life and actual death never make his complaining turn him into a pill. Centauri is perfectly played by Preston as a salesman we would have loved to have seen in Glengarry Glen Ross. (Or did see already in The Music Man.) The eternally fetching Stewart may have continually put a burn on Alex's heart, afraid to leave town with him, but it was all in the name of staying with her Granny. Maggie may have just been "the girl" in all of this, but she gets to play some fun scenes with the inexperienced Beta Unit ("I'm kinda new at these gland games") and Stewart got to play her own game the following year in trying to beat "DMK"'s Tempest record in Night of the Comet. And through it all, Alex's new friend and first-mate, Grig (Dan O'Herlihy), looking like a lizard planet's version of The Thing, is a wonderful companion to share your impending demise with.

Discount anyone who praises or dismisses The Last Starfighter as just "silly" or "dated." Castle's film holds up remarkably well now, 26 years later, because it is absolutely earnest in telling its tale, helped along by Craig Safan's lovingly heroic and melancholy themes. It's Superman-like opening credits don't exactly mask the fact that Lance Guest is a dead ringer for young Clark Kent, Jeff East. But at least that is one question we can avoid answering for the hopeful sequel on the horizon. Such as: Just what was up with Lord Kril's monocle? Was Xur's prized scepter with expanding spike really compensating for something else? Did Billy Mitchell own the previous record on the Starfighter machine? How good does a "master spy" blend in with the Ko-Dans when he's the only one besides Xur with (what Bill Cosby might call) the reverse mohawk and Metalunan forehead? And did Galoka think that the Ulus were too ugly to save?

Hopefully if the new Starfighter movie gets off the ground, it will not serve as just a bridge to a new hero where Alex Rogen gets killed off early. That would stink. The 1984 film was out right in the middle of the arcade craze, just a few years after Tron and we're finally getting that sequel. Appropriately enough, both films were among the first to use CGI technology. How the GunStars and their challengers could be presented in 2012 would be a sight to see indeed.

Interview: 'Tron' Creator Steven Lisberger

Todd Gilchrist — 2010-08-04T21:45:00+00:00

I'd like to say that my obsession with Tron started with test footage for Tron: Legacy that debuted at Comic-Con three years ago. (For some reason, that seems vaguely reasonable for an otherwise well-adjusted film critic/ entertainment journalist.) But the truth is that I have been a fan of Tron since some time in the early 1980s, when its oversized white Disney clamshell box stared back at me from a video-store shelf, promising a weird, unforgettable journey behind (and beyond) the screen of my favorite video games. Perhaps needless to say, a chance encounter with Tron creator Steven Lisberger via a mutual friend - a year or so before the follow-up was announced - ranked high among my favorite moments of personal fandom, at least until I was able to go to the actual set of Legacy and interview him at length.

Cinematical was offered the chance to speak with Lisberger again at this year's Comic-Con, and I was only too happy to take that particular assignment. In addition to talking about his role as "the Obi Wan" of Tron: Legacy, the talented Tron creator reflected on the opportunities and repercussions of creating this digital world, and most excitingly, revealed one particular part of the original he is happy to see more fully realized in its forthcoming follow-up.

Cinematical: One of the things you said at the Comic-con panel was that when you made the original Tron, you were able to be a dreamer without having to worry about the ramifications of that dream. Tron: Legacy obviously deals with that to a certain extent, but when do you feel like a creator has to start considering the ramifications of what they create, if ever?

Steven Lisberger: There are many levels here that all speak to the same problem, which is that we're all users now, but the goal is to stay a user and not become a program. And now that we know who we are, we've taken control from the MCP and how does one make the most of being a user? I think the trick is you don't want to treat other people as just information; I think the system breaks down if users don't treat other users like users - if they [don't] make that transition to saying, you know, romance is really messy. Wouldn't it be more convenient if I could just point and click? That gets into this idea that if you're going to be developing a doppelganger to the real world in cyberspace, it can't be an end to itself. You can't just tunnel away from reality indefinitely.

The goal has to be kept in mind that if you're going to create a simulation of this world, at least make it something that is going to shed light on this world, so that what you learn there you can apply here to close the loop. If it all becomes an end to itself, then not only does one treat people like information, but then one treats the world like information, and the world isn't just information. Whether it's love or the Gulfstream, it's a mystery, and more and more I think we're getting this feeling like, wow, some of this stuff is going to stay a mystery, and we're not sure whether we like that. So we're like, let's go into cyberspace where everything is finite; it's maybe confusing at times but it is at the end finite. It's not infinite, and we have to avoid it being an end to itself. Technology has to come back and be something that we use for a more enlightened purpose than just making more technology.

Cinematical: Since this follow-up was itself going to push the envelop technologically, what sort of discussions were there to make sure that the technology and the conceptual complexity of Tron: Legacy did not overwhelm the characters, the story or the emotional content of the film?

Lisberger: Sean Bailey has been masterful about orchestrating this, and I'd like to say that Sean puts elements together better than The Last Airbender did. That's a joke (laughs). He's been very in touch with the human component of this and the cast is masterful at conveying these things, and Joe has been really in touch with all of that. We've been really aware from the beginning that the heart of this movie had to be in the right place, and I think that it is, and I think that story is such a good metaphor - what do you do when you find out your dad was Obi Wan, not Darth Vader? That has its own challenges. And the basic mechanism for these stories and the process is always the same - whoever gives the most wins.

And the villains in life and in Hollywood movies, they're trying to take, and the heroes are trying to give. And if the heroes can give one more time than the villain can take, he wins. When I worked on this film, you worry that you're not going to be able to give enough, that you're going to get exhausted in the giving category, and as long as you feel you can keep giving, you know you're in the win column. I think of this Obi Wan role that I'm doing, I think it's been really rewarding. I'm there for them to push off against, I'm there as a sounding board, I'm there for them to sort of break glass in case of emergency, and it's closer actually to the role I actually envisioned myself being in all of those years ago. I don't really relate to the hired-gun director who rides into town with a black hat on a black horse, directs and then leaves. I really like more of the studio environment, the more collaborative process, and I think it's better suited to me.

Cinematical: As they're wrapping me, were there any things that conceptually or technically from the original movie that you wanted to, if not correct, then take the opportunity to more fully realize in Tron: Legacy?

Lisberger: Yes, and I've never mentioned this to anyone. I just thought of it: hair. We could not put hair in the first movie because we couldn't technically matte it. People think, well, why does everyone have a helmet on all of the time? It was a technical problem; otherwise there would have been plenty of scenes where they had hair. But I am envious of their ability to matte characters in, I am envious of their precision in terms of - they have no idea how funky, I keep telling Joe [Kosinski] and Sean. It's a cliché, the old guy going, "you don't know back in the day how funky it was!" But it was seriously funky. It was so funky, I went up to Pixar and we showed both Trons up there, and when I would tell them stories about this, I might as well have been talking about the Wright Brothers.

Research Shows Comic-Con Actually Hurts Movies

Alison Nastasi — 2010-07-30T14:15:00+00:00

Opining about how huge and out of control Comic-Con has gotten over the past few years isn't exactly new. After every year's show, countless scribes hit their keyboards ready to lament how the mega-event is too big for its own good and how comics -- the reason for its existence in the first place -- have been relegated to second-class citizen status. While I tend to agree with those views, I'm not convinced that it will ever really change. Comic-Con is big business now -- the proverbial dog-and-pony show crams more movies, panels, screenings, and assorted other hoopla into a several day span than any one person could possibly experience. When the cost to studios in terms of putting on the show is weighed against how much advertising bang for the buck they're getting and is determined to be a poor investment, that's when Comic-Con may finally start to change.

Heat Vision posted an interesting graphic that comes courtesy of Flixster. It tracks eight films featured at Comic-Con and how much the percentage of iPhone searches for those titles increased or decreased from last week to this week. The results are sort of surprising.

Hit the jump to find out how your favorite Comic-Con flicks are faring in the post-show afterglow.

Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch saw a whopping 2884% increase in searches. Scott Pilgrim gained 20% more traffic. Everything else? They lost ground. Tron, Thor, Captain America, Green Lantern, Green Hornet, and Megamind all saw drops in search engine traffic after the show.

Of course, as any first year Statistics student can tell you, correlation doesn't imply causation -- and there are numerous reasons for why this drop-off might have occurred. Everyone saw the new material for these movies last week and is taking a break now until more is released. Some of the movies aren't even close to their release. Plus, this isn't exactly a true random sampling -- while the iPhone is popular, it's hardly the only Internet device in town.

It is interesting though -- as Heat Vision points out -- how these numbers do seem to indicate that Comic-Con is failing to bring these films to a wider audience. Con attendees and the people who follow the event closely are checking the films out during the week of the show, but the films aren't "crossing over" to mainstream film fans in the weeks after. Spending money to promote movies to the people who were already going to see your film on opening weekend seems almost pointless.

Again, though, you have to take these figures with a grain of salt. It's all too easy to look at these numbers and start drawing conclusions -- and while they may be at least partially right, there are countless other variables to factor in as well. What we can see is that it appears movies hit a hype crescendo during the event and there's an inevitable letdown in the week after. Sort of like box office results these days.

Listen to Daft Punk's Entire 'Tron: Legacy' Score (UPDATED)

Jenni Miller — 2010-07-30T11:02:00+00:00

Whether you're a fan of Tron: Legacy, Daft Punk, futuristic dudes in funky light-up suits, or some kinky combo thereof, you're in luck. If the Daft Punk tunes from the first teaser trailer or even the second teaser trailer weren't enough, some YouTube user has uploaded all of the scenes that the techno twins scored for the upcoming movie. You know, the Disney flick that had everyone drooling at Comic-Con? After the jump, you can listen to each of them while playing with your Tron toys or riding your very own custom-built Tron lightcycle down the street.

UPDATE: Disney has confirmed that all of the tracks posted after the jump are fakes and fan created. In the meantime, we're still awaiting word on the six tracks posted below, which we believe to be legit.

Daft Punk - Tron Soundtrack (Sampler) by Some Kind of Awesome

Terror Tapes: Nightmares

Brian Salisbury — 2010-07-26T12:35:00+00:00

Welcome back to Terror Tapes; the weekly feature that would have served us well had we launched Horror Squad back in 1981. Each week I fly in the face of modern technology and submerge myself in a sea of videotape. My goal is to see any and all horror titles that were abandoned in the great format upgrade...for better or for worse. Sometimes I will discover gems whose relegation to forgotten formats represents a true tragedy of technological advancement. Conversely there will also be occasions when I wonder why anyone bothered to recommend a given title for home viewing in the first place; as audiences would have surely been adequately assaulted by the film in theaters.

Today's tape: Nightmares, 1983 Nightmares is an anthology horror film from the early 1980's. It is made up of four vignettes but unlike most anthology horror films, it offers no wrap-around story to link them together. The first story, "Terror in Topanga," is about a serial killer loose in a small town. The second story, "Bishop of Battle," is about a world-class video game player who makes it his mission to reach the final level of the world's toughest game; at his own peril! The third story, "The Benediction," is about a priest who looses his faith and decides to leave his desert parish; an infernal error. Finally, we have "Night of the Rat." This final story is about a family dealing with a massive rodent problem; or a problem with massive rodents. To adequately review this film, I am going to break it down segment by segment.

Terror in Topanga

This is definitely the weakest of the bunch, which is why it is so surprising that it kicks off the film. I'll admit that it opens with a fantastic kill, but beyond that it is not only disproportionately tame but also extraordinarily dull. What is so amazing about this subdued violence is that it completely belies the reason this entire film exists. Apparently these segments were originally written for the short-lived horror television series Darkroom but were declared to be too intense for television. None of the stories, as it turns out, are all that intense--even if Darkroom had aired on Nickleodeon--but where each of the other three segments find creative compensations for their subdued violence, "Horror in Topanga" does not. The character who risks her life to obtain a pack of cigarettes is impossible to empathize with which drains all semblance of tension and the ending is lazily derivative of a tired American urban legend.

Bishop of Battle

This was probably my favorite of the group. This is the segment that boasts the film's tentpole celebrity: Emilio Estevez. This segment is also, as much as all of these fit this same description, the most derivative of the bunch. It is clear that the writer was a big fan of Tron because this story is just an inversion of the concept. Instead of someone getting sucked into a game and having to contend with the parameters of that game within the cyber world, "Bishop of Battle" offers a release of videogame constructs into our world and then forces the unfortunate hero to contend with them in a shopping mall. For all of its aping of Tron, I really enjoyed "Bishop of Battle." It was well-told, well-acted, and undeniably entertaining. I especially love the ending and its "twist."

The Benediction

The person who should have been considered the tentpole celebrity of Nightmares is Lance Henriksen who plays the disenfranchised priest in this segment. I really enjoyed this sequence and would probably designate it as my second favorite. Though it makes about as much sense as trying to brush your teeth with a library card, I liked the idea of a truck being the manifestation of the devil. Not to sound like a broken record or anything, but "The Benediction" is also quite derivative. It is essentially the movie Duel, a personal favorite of mine, with a more complex backstory for the besieged motorist. The one twist on the otherwise blatant Duel plagiarism was that the truck had the ability to burrow underground as if it were a 1974 Ford Graboid.

Night of the Rat

This was a weird little piece. The father of the family was played by Richard Masur (The Thing, It) and the mother by Veronica Cartwright (Alien) so immediately my geek sense was tingling. The basic premise of this segment is pretty dopey, but it's the unexpected additional twist that makes "Night of the Rat" so interesting. It's not just that there is a giant rat in their house, but that the rat has telekinetic powers and begins tormenting the family indirectly. It added an extra level of menace to the monster in their home. I guess the running theme of Nightmares is one of reconstructing various other films, and to look at "Night of the Rat" with that lens one would instantly notice some suspicious similarities to Poltergeist. The whole setup, including the cute little blond girl, smacks of a Poltergeist ripoff. What really creeps me out about this parallel is that the little girl in this segment, much like the ill-fated actress who played Carol Anne, died very young.

Overall I'd have to say Nightmares is one of the best films I've watched for this column. It is incredibly entertaining and most of the performances are at least decent if not impressive. Though every segment manages to find something to steal from another source, casting doubt on its originality, it's almost more of an homage piece than a malicious attempt to capitalize on those sources. While this film did have a DVD release at one time, good luck finding a used copy for less than $50 since it went out of print. Once again, VHS saves the day...hooray!

SDCC Party Scene: Lucasfilm, G4, Tron and Scott Pilgrim

Erik Davis — 2010-07-23T15:32:00+00:00

Each year here at Comic Con, the parties have grown larger and larger. Walking with a fellow colleague last night, we passed the giant Machete party being held in a parking lot in downtown San Diego (check out Jen's coverage of that) -- complete with dancers, DJ, fly cars and plenty of booze. He looked at me and said, "This kinda stuff was not going on at Comic Con a couple years ago. What has this place turned into?"

Well, it's turned into quite the scene -- one where, aside from worrying about which panels you're covering, you need to spend an equal amount of time worrying about which parties you may or may not get into ... because, ya know, god forbid you misssomething at Comic Con. I've been fortunate enough to slide my way into several parties here so far by convincing people I'm more important than I am (shhh), and so I wanted to shed a little light on what that scene is like.

Guests lists? Check. Long lines? Double check. Guy at the front door who looks at you as if he's lived his entire life hating just you? Ahem ... check. So far at Comic Con Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is winning the "Look at Me, Remember Me, and Tell All Your Friends About Me" prize. Not only are they hosting a very cool off-site event and plastering the town in Pilgrim swag, but last night's secret screening of the film -- complete with a DJ set from Automator and Kid Koala, and a post-screening surprise set from the band Metric -- was explosive, exciting and by far the best event at Comic Con yet. Read our Scott Pilgrim vs. the World review.

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Pictured above: Tron: Legacy club
Pictured right: Scott Pilgrim stars Aubrey Plaza and Alison Pill

Though Friday was clearly Scott Pilgrim's day to shine, Tron: Legacy made a point of letting people know that they're here to party too. The film is hosting an official party at their make-shift Flynn's Arcade later on tonight, but last night they had a sort of "preview night" for the place, with lines that stretched around the block. The set-up is kinda like it was last year, with an old beaten-down arcade filled with old school arcade games covered in plastic as if they haven't been used in years. Like a carnival attraction, everyone files into the room -- the lights go down, audio from the movie plays -- and then a door opens that leads folks down a tunnel that eventually overdoses on blue light. Beyond the blue light was a Tron-inspired club, where cute Tron girls handed out Coke Zero and guys like me geeked out over the cool surroundings.

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Finally, G4 and Lucasfilm set up a party that was obviously a love letter to Empire Strikes Back (celebrating its 30th anniversary this year). The room was designed to feel like outer space -- with black walls and small white lights surrounding your every move -- while little lightsabers hung down from the ceiling and Stormtroopers, as well as Darth Vader, Boba Fett and more, paraded around the space. There were video games to play in one room, Empire Strikes Back screening in another and folks like Olivia Munn and Seth Green filling out the space alongside people way too cool for school.

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Film parties tonight include Tron: Legacy, Let Me In, the annual From Dusk Till Con and another one being co-hosted by UTA and Latino Review. If we survive, we'll report on those tomorrow. In the meantime, check out images from all three of the aforementioned events in the galleries above.

SDCC: 'Recognize' New 'Tron: Legacy' Footage

Todd Gilchrist — 2010-07-22T18:05:00+00:00

Shortly after inerviewing cast and crew members from Tron: Legacy, including Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, director Joe Kosinski, producer Sean Bailey, and original Tron creator Steven Lisberger, moderator Patton Oswalt prodded Kosinski to introduce almost eight minutes of footage from the upcoming film. Kosinski, crediting the positive reaction of test footage screened at Comic-Con 2008 as the reason the film exists, gave fans a small taste of what they will be seeing in Tron: Legacy's 3D computer world.

The footage opens with Sam Flynn (Hedlund) as he awakens in a bizarre, geometric universe. Despite his protests that it's all a dream, he soon discovers otherwise when a gigantic craft, an updated version of the Recognizers from the original Tron, descends upon him and two glowing guards take him into custody. The craft returns to the sky and is followed by two more Recognizers as a guard scans Sam and his fellow captives to assess their suitability for various tasks; the nonplussed mortal is surprised to discover he's been chosen for games.

After disembarking from the ship, Sam is shuttled down into the bowels of a mysterious facility where four beautiful women, dressed in skintight white outfits and futuristic stiletto heels, remove his clothes and sheath him in a uniform. They encode a Frisbee-looking device they describe as his data disc and attach it to his back, then disappear back into the walls from where they emerged. Although his feet are disengaged from the translucent shackles that kept him from running, he doesn't have time to go anywhere because he is lifted onto a game grid and prepared to battle - or "play games," as it were.

The continuous sequence ends in blackness, but Rinzler (Michael Sheen) instructs his DJs, played by Daft Punk, to play a little something for the audience. As grave, gorgeous tones pour out of the speakers, a compilation of shots from the film unspool, including shots of light cycles that spin and twist around each other in space; luminescent gliders soar through the air; Sam throws his data disc through an adversary, shattering him into a mass of digitized cubes; and Sam finds himself face to face with someone who appears to be his long-absent father, Kevin Flynn. As the clip comes to and end, the Flynn lookalike responds to Sam's desperate question whether he's his father, saying, "No, I'm not your father, Sam. But I am very, very glad to see you."

A trailer was unlocked at the end of the same panel and that footage is currently available online. But while you're frantically searching for other information about San Diego Comic-Con and Tron: Legacy in particular, check out all of Cinematical's coverage of the convention, interviews, panels, and all of your favorite comic book, movie and fantasy properties.

Second 'Tron: Legacy' Trailer Is Out of This World

Moviefone Staff — 2010-07-22T17:30:00+00:00

As Comic-Con gets underway in San Diego, today Disney released the second theatrical trailer for the highly anticipated 'Tron: Legacy,' which features Jeff Bridges looking decades younger -- exactly like he did in the original 1982 classic.

The new trailer repeats a few visuals and plot points from the first trailer, confirming what we already know: 'Tron: Legacy' focuses on Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the 27-year old son of programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who mysteriously disappeared more than two decades ago. Flynn's old friend and business partner, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), an ENCOM senior executive/consultant, contacts Sam about a message he's received via pager, supposedly from Sam's father. Sam enters Flynn's old arcade and, like his father 28 years earlier, he's digitized and enters Tron's virtual world of perpetual combat games.

Related:
Check Out Full Comic-Con Coverage on Cinematical

The new trailer gives a glimpse at a new scene between a preteen Sam and his father (a de-aged Bridges), more scenes inside 'Tron's' virtual world, including Sam's first meeting with Clu 2.0, a new version of the program Sam's father created three decades ago to infiltrate 'Tron's' virtual world and combat the first film's antagonist, the Master Control Program. The second trailer seems to confirm Clu 2.0 as Tron: Legacy's villain. It also gives a few more lines of dialogue to Sam's romantic interest within the virtual world, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), more combat scenes, and finally, a brief glimpse of a a light-plane.

'Tron: Legacy' will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D and IMAX 3-D.

Here, without further delay, is the new trailer:

SDCC: Second Theatrical Trailer for 'Tron: Legacy' Hits

Mel Valentin — 2010-07-22T16:20:00+00:00

San Diego Comic-Con officially kicked off this morning with a Hall H panel for DreamWorks Animation's latest film, Megamind, but it was Tron: Legacy, one of the most-anticipated films (and sequels) of the year (it's mine, at least where mainstream films are concerned), that most Comic-Con attendees really wanted to see. From real-time twitter updates, the panel featured eight minutes of footage from the native (as opposed to post-production conversion) 3D film, but those of us on the outside looking in (as in not at Comic-Con this year) did get something today: the second theatrical trailer.

The new trailer repeats a few visuals and plot points from the first trailer, confirming what we already know: Tron: Legacy focuses on Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the 27-year old son of programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who mysteriously disappeared more than two decades ago. Flynn's old friend and business partner, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), an ENCOM senior executive/consultant, contacts Sam about a message he's received via pager, supposedly from Sam's father. Sam enters Flynn's old arcade and, like his father 28 years earlier, he's digitized and enters Tron's virtual world of perpetual combat games.

The new trailer gives a glimpse at a new scene between a preteen Sam and his father (a de-aged Bridges), more scenes inside Tron's virtual world, including Sam's first meeting with Clu 2.0, a new version of the program Sam's father created three decades ago to infiltrate Tron's virtual world and combat the first film's antagonist, the Master Control Program. The second trailer seems to confirm Clu 2.0 as Tron: Legacy's villain. It also gives a few more lines of dialogue to Sam's romantic interest within the virtual world, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), more combat scenes, and finally, a brief glimpse of a a light-plane.

Tron: Legacy will be presented in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

Here, without further delay, is the new trailer:

So what do you think of the new trailer? Does it make you more or less excited to see Tron: Legacy when it hits movie theaters in December? Does it give it away too much information or not enough information for potential moviegoers unfamiliar with the first film? What about the de-aged Jeff Bridges as Clu. 2.0? Convincing or not convincing enough?

Original 'Tron' Star Cindy Morgan Talks About the Movie's Legacy and Blowing Up a Golf Course in 'Caddyshack'

Scott Harris — 2010-07-21T14:00:00+00:00

It's something most Hollywood stars can only dream of and hope for: A role that transcends film to become an iconic cultural touchstone, a role so embraced by fans that you are forever after linked with that character and that moment. If an actor is very, very lucky, they might land a role like that once in their lifetime.

Unless that star happens to be Cindy Morgan, of course. The actress brought not one, but two iconic roles to life: first as every teen boy's dream woman, Lacy Underall, in 1980's legendary comedy 'Caddyshack,' and then two years later the very different but no less revered role of Yori in the groundbreaking sci-fi adventure 'Tron.'

On the eve of this year's Comic-Con International we had the chance to sit down for a lengthy conversation with the actress to find out all the details on her upcoming book about 'Caddyshack,' what role she might be playing in 'Tron: Legacy,' and her appearance at Comic-Con. It's something most Hollywood stars can only dream of and hope for: A role that transcends film to become an iconic cultural touchstone, a role so embraced by fans that you are forever after linked with that character and that moment. If an actor is very, very lucky, they might land a role like that once in their lifetime.

Unless that star happens to be Cindy Morgan, of course. The actress brought not one, but two iconic roles to life: first as every teen boy's dream woman, Lacy Underall, in 1980's legendary comedy 'Caddyshack,' and then two years later the very different but no less revered role of Yori in the groundbreaking sci-fi adventure 'Tron.'

On the eve of this year's Comic-Con International we had the chance to sit down for a lengthy conversation with the actress to find out all the details on her upcoming book about 'Caddyshack,' what role she might be playing in 'Tron: Legacy,' and her appearance at Comic-Con.

Let's start off with the big question for Comic-Con fans: Are you going to be participating in any of the promotions for 'Tron: Legacy' this weekend?
As of this morning, Disney was gracious enough to extend an invitation to their Comic-Con party on Friday, which is the Flynn's Arcade event. Disney I think is going to be having quite a few events at Comic-Con. I understand from my friends in San Diego that banners are up around the city already. And for Disney to do something like this I think is incredibly gracious.

You also recently appeared in character as Yori for Disney's 'Tron: Legacy' promotion at WonderCon back in April.
Yes. Even though I was killed in the video game about five years ago. When people say, are you going to have any involvement in 'Tron: Legacy,' or the franchise, all I keep saying is "It's science fiction, anything's possible." And I know for a fact that they shot footage that day, so who knows what's going to happen?

So since they shot footage that day, there may be a chance Yori could make it into 'Tron: Legacy'?
I don't know how this is going to proceed. I really don't. One never knows how the story line will proceed. But the fact that Disney is being kind enough to include me in their promotion and recognize what the fans want is not just gracious, I think it's very wise. They listen. They are paying such close attention.

Considering the influence that Comic-Con has these days, it would almost seem that the studio's decision could be influenced by how fans react to your appearance at Comic-Con this weekend.
The fans absolutely are having a say. In fact, I heard it form the guys I met in the first meeting. You know, whether or not they do it for this first film, quite frankly, they may have their own thoughts. But the funny thing I am hearing is, everyone has got their own theory on how they can fit Yori into the story line. Some people say after the credits roll, to introduce the next film in the franchise. I was at an event and a little 12 year old -- the demographics for the film and for this character in the film are astonishing -- a 12- year-old little boy came up and said, "Are you in the new 'Tron?'" and I said, "Well, I really don't know." And he said, "Well, you should be, and here's what they should do. They should put Yori in the background and then put you in the credits." He's so movie savvy that he knows the setup and to put you in the credits. It's amazing how informed audiences are these days.

Did you have any idea when you working on 'Tron' and 'Caddyshack' that they would have this kind of lasting impact?
No, absolutely not. Neither film. Are you kidding? During 'Caddyshack,' I thought we were all going to be in a lot of trouble, it was 'Animal House' and we were all very badly behaved. In 'Tron' [there was a] completely different work style if I can even use those words about 'Caddyshack.'

What was that like, working on 'Tron?' The computer effects used in 'Tron' were really cutting edge for the time.
It was way ahead of its time. It took so many months in post-production because it had never been done before. And in fact, I head a story that it wasn't nominated for a category in special effects because some people considered it cheating to use a computer. Now, CGI is state of the art.

At one point, Jeff [Bridges] and Bruce [Boxleitner] and I were on this thing and the camera's following us and [director] Steven [Lisberger] said, you're looking in three different directions. And I said, of course, there's nothing here! I said, could you just have one of the gaffers grab a roll of gaffers tape and just drag it along the floor so at least we have the same eye line? And they did.

I take it filming 'Caddyshack' wasn't quite like that. I understand you're in the process of writing a book about your experiences on the set?
We would roll out of bed and I'd show up and say, "Okay, what are we doing today." And the script was virtually thrown away and you pretty much had to follow what the action was in the scene.

So what I've got is hundreds of behind the scenes photos. At first I was going to write a text-driven book, but the first book is going to be a coffee table book. Actual photos, with my commentary, of what I witnessed first hand. I mean, could you imagine being on the set of that? After six weeks of these guys ad-libbing and the parties... what went on on-camera didn't even compare to what was going on off-camera. And when I saw them after six weeks mining one of the hills on the golf course with gasoline to blow it up, I said, I'm getting so far away from this set it's not even funny and I hightailed it out of there. And they blew it up. I've got a photo of that fireball which must be three stories high. The next day, they painted it green and blew it up again. Personally, I don't recommend doing it yourself. A film like this will never be made again. It was like being struck by comedy lightning.

It was pandemonium. It was 'Animal House' on a golf course.

These days, Hollywood seems to really be pushing franchise reboots. Have you heard anything about them remaking 'Caddyshack?'

There are tons of rumors about it, but the thing about it that would be tough is, it was a perfect storm. You can't plan this kind of thing. We had brilliant improvisational actors, we had a night club act who came in like a comic juggernaut -- Rodney Dangerfield -- rolling through scenes, saying whatever the hell popped into his head;Ted Knight, who was used to being the comic, playing the straight man to Rodney and really getting angry ... at some point we all evolved into versions of our characters and things just happened. You can't plan that. I think they tried to plan it in 'Caddyshack II.' And whenever anyone asks me which 'Caddyshack' I was in, I tell them "the funny one."

Do you still keep in touch with anyone from Caddyshack?
Not as much. It's really funny, as close as we were at the time. I see Bill [Murray] once in awhile at the golf tournaments. It makes me smile, I see guys approach me and I can see them thinking, okay, I'm going to go up to Lacy Underall and I'm going to say this and as they get closer and closer they turn into the 14-year-old boy they were when they first saw the film. And it's absolutely charming. But on the back nine, after they have a couple of beers, they're reciting every line from the movie like I've never heard any of them before. And you know what? It's kind of cool. It makes me smile.

Do you do many golf tournaments? I understand you actually hosted a 'Caddyshack' reunion golf tournament for charity?
I did, four years ago, for the families of the military. I'm a big supporter of the military simply because I'm the daughter of a Polish immigrant who fled Europe during World War II from Poland and lied about his age to join the Army simply because he was proud to be an American. And who isn't? And he instilled that love for the country [in me].

So when I did this event, I got on every television station and radio station and said, look, I've got friends who are liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, and for one day, you're all going to shut up and do something nice for the families of the military. Because we want them to fight bravely and come home safely. Give them heart. We need to support these people. And nobody disagrees with that. Just very simply, my father told me how much he loves this country and how grateful he was to be here and I remember that very clearly. And we all have different opinions about whether we should be there or what we should be doing, but for those folks fighting for us, we need to honor our heroes and give them heart. They deserve it.

Cindy Morgan and Bruce Boxleitner in the 'Tron: Legacy' Encom press conference at WonderCon

Cinematical Seven: Wild Trips Through Virtual Reality

Mel Valentin — 2010-07-15T22:33:00+00:00

After months of anticipation fueled by online (and offline) buzz, enigmatic trailers filled with arresting images, but little substantive information, Christopher Nolan's "existential heist film," Inception, the follow-up to Nolan's last crowd-pleasing blockbuster, The Dark Knight, arrives in movie theaters. Not everyone, however, will want to brave opening weekend crowds. A weekday/week-night screening or a screening next weekend might seem more attractive. If that's you and you still want to get a virtual reality fix before or after you check out Inception, but definitely not while you're checking it out, then this Cinematical Seven was made for you.

For this Cinematical Seven edition, we'll save the (non)-surprises for last (or is it first?). As usual, a spoiler alert is in full effect.

7. Dreamscape (1984): Recently revisiting Dreamscape confirmed what I already knew (but didn't want to admit to myself): Nostalgia can only take you so far. Dreamscape has plenty of ideas, from shared lucid dreaming, dream assassins, to government conspiracies. The cast includes Dennis Quaid, Kate Capshaw, Christopher Plummer, Max Von Sydow, and David Patrick Kelly (best know for his turn as the villain in The Warriors five years earlier). Strong ideas and an equally strong cast, however, aren't enough to overcome inferior production values, sub-par visual effects (even for 1984), and a wasted storyline and non-compelling characters. On the plus side, Dreamscape seems to have had an influence on the virtual reality sub-genre, including Inception.

6. The Thirteenth Floor (1999): Critics weren't kind to this pulpy, stylish science-fiction/thriller that also failed to draw in audiences on its release eleven years ago, but as late-night cable fodder, you could do far, far worse. The Thirteenth Floor drew its inspiration from a 1964 novel, Simulacron-3, written by Daniel F. Galouye, and Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 1973 German mini-series, Welt am Draht (World on Wires). A somnambulant Craig Bierko, or rather his character in The Thirteenth Floor, investigates a murder related to a virtual world, discovering answers to questions he never wanted answered. A one-twist-too-many ending does little to undermine The Thirteenth Floor's guilty pleasures, including Gretchen Moll as the obligatory romantic interest and a typically over-the-top Vincent D'Onofrio as the antagonist to Bierko's virtual reality character.

5. ExistenZ (1999): Ripe for reappraisal, David Cronenberg (History of Violence) wrote and directed this mind-bending science fiction/mystery/thriller. Exploring the ramifications of video gaming culture in his inimitable style, Cronenberg posits an oddball, near-future where video gamers link up via organic, sexualized "game pods." Over the course of Existenz's running time, the line between objective reality and the gaming world blurs irrevocably for the central characters, a videogame designer played by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law's low-level, marketing employee, stranded in a virtual labyrinth with no way out, except to play on (and on and on).

4. Vanilla Sky (2001): In your first day of Philosophy 101, your professor might ask you: "How do you know you're not dreaming?" "How do you know you're not a brain in a vat?" "How do you know you're not a head in a box?" Vanilla Sky, Cameron Crowe's remake of Alejandro Amenábar's (The Others) science fiction-thriller, Abre los ojos (Open Your Eyes), takes its physically and emotionally scarred protagonist, played by Tom Cruise, through a personal journey that gives him answers he doesn't want to receive. Before Cruise's character gets to the predictable twist ending (sing along now, "Head in a box, head in a box, he's nothing but a head in a box..."), however, he mixes it up romantically with Penélope Cruz (reprising her role from Abre los ojos) and Cameron Diaz (channeling Glenn Close's Fatal Attraction character).

3. Tron (1982): Science fiction and gaming geeks loved Steven Lisberger's feature-length debut, Tron, for the promise, only partly delivered by crude computer animation, of virtual gaming worlds. Mainstream audiences, however, weren't as impressed with thinly developed characters, lackluster pacing, and, for some, an inaccessible storyline. Ironically, the video game tie-in brought in gamers eager to enter the Tron universe, if only one quarter or token at a time. It took almost three decades, but Tron fans will be rewarded for their seemingly limitless patience with the release of the sequel, Tron Legacy, in December.

2. Dark City (1999): Roger Ebert championed Alex Proyas' (The Crow) science fiction/noir mash-up offered a compelling murder mystery/conspiracy plot (well, at least until the halfway mark), 40s-inspired production design and cinematography, and compellingly watchable performances by Rufus Sewell, William Hurt (who exits Dark City far too soon), and a never-more-beautiful Jennifer Connelly as the not-quite-femme fatale. What it didn't have, crowd-pleasing set pieces (like our next, first entry, The Matrix) probably hurt its box-office chances, but not its afterlife on DVD and cable.

1. The Matrix (1999): Since its release more than a decade ago, Intro Philosophy professors have used The Matrix to discuss basic questions in the field (e.g., How do we know we're not dreaming?), but for moviegoers eleven years ago, they were fascinated, engrossed, and entertained by The Matrix's groundbreaking visual effects (that bullet time thing) and Asian-influenced martial arts sequences. Those martial arts scenes more than made up, however, for the by overlong, repetitive exposition scenes ("Yeah, Morpheus, we get it, real world, virtual world, etc."), sadly a sign of things to come for the misguided, disappointing sequels, Matrix: Reloaded and Matrix: Revolutions.

What do you think? Would you add, delete, change the order of the entries in this Cinematical Seven?